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Assistant Director’s Daughter Wins on ‘Jeopardy!’ |
| By
Deanna Lytle |
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Nov 9, 2004 |
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| Tamika Turner posed for a photo on the set of Jeopardy! |
Category: “Jeopardy!” winners. Amount: $11,000. Tamika Turner, daughter of Elaine Turner of The University of Toledo, took home the top prize on the Oct. 20 episode of “Jeopardy!”
Turner, who is in eighth grade at Sylvania’s Timberstone Junior High School, was one of 15 contestants who appeared during Kid’s Week on the popular trivia show. First-place winners were guaranteed at least $10,000 and received a computer package from America Online.
Elaine always knew Tamika had a knack for the game show. “We watch it every night and she would always answer all the questions,” said Elaine, the assistant director for administration in Residence Life. “I’m not really sure how I know so much,” Tamika said. “Even though I read a lot it’s not factual or ‘Jeopardy!’-related information. I guess I just pick up things from around me.”
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| Tamka Turner and Alex Trebek |
Tamika also played online games of “Jeopardy!” But Elaine soon thought it was time for the real thing and registered her daughter for the show. In June, they traveled to Chicago for the tryouts. “We first had to play a mock game,” Tamika said. “We then took a 30-question written test.” If hopefuls scored high, their names were put in a pool for a year. But Tamika didn’t have to wait long. “We got called in July for her to be on the show,” Elaine recalled.
The show was taped Aug. 24 and was quite the experience for both mother and daughter. “They tape five shows in one day,” Elaine said. She had to wait through two shows before it was Tamika’s turn. “There were a couple of tense moments,” Elaine recalled. “You tell them it’s just a game, but it’s hard to remain calm.” Tamika didn’t seem stressed by the experience. “The taping was really cool. I wasn’t nervous because I had to focus on the game,” she said. “I learned what it was like to be on a real set. Meeting Alex Trebek wasn’t that big of a deal.”
After the show was taped, they had to wait almost two months before it was shown. “We had a gag order,” Elaine said, meaning they couldn’t divulge the good news to anyone. When the airdate of the show arrived, the two gathered with friends and co-workers at the home of Joe Ecklund, assistant director for operations with residence hall administration. “The love and support were so overwhelming. There was so much excitement — we couldn’t even hear the show when she gave the right answers,” Elaine said.
Tamika’s plans for the winnings include buying an iPod and clothes. “Most of the money has to go to mutual and college savings funds,” she said.
Unfortunately, Tamika will not be able to add to her winnings — at least not on “Jeopardy!” “It’s a one-shot deal,” Elaine said. “They can’t go back on again.”
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