Erie Native to Appear on Jeopardy
The area has had a few contestants appear on the game show Jeopardy throughout the years. Erie News Now sat down with the most recent game show contender from Erie.
Sarah Flamini is an Erie native, 2002 graduate of Villa Maria, and 2006 Allegheny College graduate. She currently resides in Pittsburgh.
She had the opportunity to be a contestant on the national game show, Jeopardy.
"I tried out three times, I've made it to in-person auditions all three times, and this time, I got called back,” says Sarah.
"My roommate carries my purse into my room where I'm working at home and says, "Here this is ringing." And I pull out my phone and think, "Oh great, it's a California area code, someone's trying to sell me a car warranty." But I picked up the phone, and I'm very glad I did, cause the voice on the other end says, "Hi, I'm from Jeopardy contestant services,"" Sarah explains.
Sarah received her phone call at the end of June and says she just about fell out of her chair when she found out she’d be competing.
She joins the likes of Erie doctor, John Mingey, who competed back in 2011.
Three day champ, with more than $76,000 in winnings, Adam Holquist, from 2013.
Most recently, Meadville native, Paige Orminston, from 2014. She walked away with $34,000, coming in second place.
Sarah can’t tell us how she did during her July taping. However, she does have the photo proof of meeting Alex Trebek, and the memories.
"You're being watched by all these people, and you hear Johnny Gilbert announce your name, and Alex Trebek comes out calls on you and when you first ring in. Your voice sort of locks up for a second,” she says.
Sarah does tell Erie News Now, she’s the first player to be introduced on her October 6th showing of Jeopardy on WSEE.
Even though she is from Erie, it’s announced she’s from Pittsburgh.
As for the actual competition, "You really have to hope you get a couple of categories that are really good for you, cause so much of it is luck of the draw."
Think you can take on Sarah or compete on Jeopardy? The game show offers a practice test on their website, Jeopardy.com.
Again, Sarah’s episode with air at 7:00, October 6th, on WSEE.