Kids can try out online for Jeopardy Oct. 5

SEPTEMBER 21, 2011

The online test for Jeopardy Kids Week is scheduled for Oct. 5, and Tampa Bay kids seem to have pretty good luck. Last year, two St. Petersburg middle schoolers, both named Emma, went to the big show in California and one of them even won the top prize.

I had the pleasure of meeting both Emmas at a watch party in July the night Emma Couture won the big prize. Actually, I've known Emma Couture, below, since she was a little girl (her parents work with me at the St. Petersburg Times). So it was Emma Johnson, left, who had become fast friends with her fellow Jeopardy mate, who I also met that night. They both share a charming, self-deprecating sense of humor and I can see why the producers picked them.

What was remarkable was how good the kids were at keeping a secret. The two middle schoolers from St. Petersburg were flown out to California in March for Jeopardy!'s Kids Week. But it wasn't until July that we found out Emma Couture won the big prize: a $15,000 scholarship.

So what did it take? Both girls aced the online test, and then were summoned to Miami for an audition. They did a mini game and had funny answers when the mock host asked them questions. Ex: Host: "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Emma Couture: "How should I know, I'm only 11!"

Then they went home to wait. And wait. It was a full six months before they got the word that they would be on the show, and it was another several months before they went to California.

So if your kid is good at keep in a secret and has loads of personality, you can get more information and fill out registration forms at http://www.jeopardy.com.

--Sharon Kennedy Wynne

Posted by Sharon Wynne at 7:00:00 am on September 21, 2011 in

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Sharon Kennedy Wynne has sunscreen in her blood. She may have been born in Buffalo but she got here as fast as she could, in time for kindergarten. She grew up in St. Petersburg, graduated from the University of Florida journalism school, and even got married at Sunken Gardens. She's one of the few adults we know who actually loves taking her kids to the beach. She has two sons and with 10 years of parenting under her belt, she's starting to feel a little less out of her league. She comes from a large family and loves to debate, so brace yourself when the hot topics come up.

E-mail Sharon Kennedy Wynne:
wynne@tampabay.com

After six long years of trying to have a baby, Kate Brassfield was finally able to have one. And then, two minutes later, another one. Suddenly the lady who had never been around babies before was juggling two! Just as Kate felt she was getting pretty good with babies, the girls became toddlers, and now Kate is back to Square One, learning about the care and feeding of these strange, wonderful creatures. She spends her days working part-time from home and trying to keep up with the Twinosaurus Wrecks.

E-mail Kate Brassfield:
katedaphne17@gmail.com

Freelance writer Courtney Cairns Pastor wasn’t so sure about having kids and how she would balance child-rearing with her journalism career. It turned out that her journalism training went to good use. As the mom to a funny, active toddler, she learned to handle him like she did her sources. Never ask yes or no questions (the answer will always be no), get him to be specific (are you crying because you’re wet or your tooth hurts?) and be prepared for anything because no two days are the same. When she’s not playing trucks, Courtney crams for her book club, trains for races and occasionally bursts into showtunes. E-mail her at courtneyblogs@gmail.com.

Suzannah DiMarzio has it bad for the Mouse. Although she grew up outside of Boston, she took her degree in tourism management down to Orlando just to work at Disney and the travel industry. Of course, when she married her high school sweetheart, the reception was at Disney. She’s now a seasoned stay-at-home mom to two tweens and a toddler – and yes, that is as crazy as it sounds. Suzannah has her own blog, ZannaLand.com , and she's a member of the Walt Disney World Moms Panel in addition to being addicted to Twitter, iced coffee, and watching way too much Yo, Gabba Gabba.

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