Former Parkview Student Becomes Jeopardy Finalist

Former Lilburn resident Kristen Jolley has become a finalist on Jeopardy's latest two-week collegiate competition.

Jolley, who went to Camp Creek Elementary, Trickum Middle and Parkview High for a year, traveled to California last month to tape the show hosted by Alex Trebek. The episodes started airing May 6, and the finalists episodes will air Thursday (May 16) and Friday (May 17) at 7:30 p.m. on WXIA-TV.

Earlier in the week, she partied with friends while watching the show. Tonight, she'll be with family and a few friends while she watches herself go head-to-head against Jim Coury of Georgetown University and Trevor Walker of MIT.

Jolley, a senior biology major at Georgia Tech, said she's always wanted to be on Jeopardy.

"I started watching with my grandfather when I was like 6 or so," she said. "I really liked it and though it was fun."

She's been preparing since middle school for her shot at the big time, having been on academic teams at both her middle school and at Chattahoochee High School.

"I've known other people who have got onto that show. I figured I would try out as well," Jolley said.

On the Jeopardy website, Jolley answered a few questions about being a finalist:

How does it feel to be a finalist in the Jeopardy! College Championship?

I'm pretty overwhelmed right now. It's not quite real yet, but I'm very, very excited.

If you win $100,000, what will you do with your winnings?

I would pay for my school first, and then past that, I think I'd go on some SCUBA trips. Get to see coral reefs, as they are now.

What inspired you to try out for the show?

I just always wanted to do it. It was always such a long time goal of mine to be on Jeopardy and so, I just kept trying until I got here and kept trying now that I am here.

See the whole video here.

To read more on Jolley's story, read it on Alpharetta Patch.

------

Don’t miss any Lilburn news. Subscribe to Lilburn-Mountain Park's free newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.