“Second-place winner of the Jeopardy! Teen Tournament.”
“Who is Rose Schaefer?, Alex.”
Rose Schaefer won $36,000 in the Jeopardy Teen Tournament.
Schaefer, a 17-year-old member of Parklane Christian Reformed Church in Portland, Ore., placed second among 14 teens in the Jeopardy! Teen Tournament, winning $36,000.
“I plan on investing [my winnings] and buy a $200 pair of shoes I normally would not be able to afford,” said Schaefer.
Schaefer was more nervous throughout the auditioning process than competing on the show. “I kept hoping for a Bible category,” she laughed, “But I did really well on poetry, which surprised me.”
Schaefer flew to Washington, D.C., for the tournament. Part of her visit included riding through the streets in the Jeopardy tour bus and visiting the national monuments with the other Jeopardy participants. She also received a private tour of the White House with Alex Trebek, Jeopardy host.
Schaefer’s favorite part of the expedition was meeting the 14 other teens. “We are all just normal teenagers. We have talked and Skyped since the tournament. Good friendships were planted,” she said.
Earlier this year, Schaefer completed a Jeopardy test online and was chosen to fly to Los Angeles and audition for the Teen Tournament. “I didn’t think I made it all. A lot of the kids were very smart,” explained Schaefer.
Three days later she found out she had been selected. “My mom told me after school and I didn’t understand what she was saying. I was shaking and screaming.”
Schaefer will begin twelfth grade at Portland Christian High School this fall. She hopes to go to college on the East Coast or study abroad. She is undecided on career goals, but is interested in law.
About the Author
Amy Toornstra is a freelance news correspondent for The Banner. She lives in Salem, Oregon.
