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Show Communication professor in 'Jeopardy!' Kim Zarkin on show competes popular game The Forum Staff What do a research scientist, a dad and a Westminster faculty member have in common? All of stay-at-ho- me them were recent Jeopardy! contestants. Kim Zarkin, associate professor of communication, has wanted to be on the show since the 80s. This summer, she was finally able to fulfill a dream and have the opportunity to become Utahs next Ken Jennings. fountain of useless knowlZarkin, a edge, began the lengthy audition process in April 2006 by completing an online test of 50 questions. She was selected to continue the process by traveling to Los Angeles in December. There, a interview, another test and a mock game of Jeopardy! earned her a spot in a pool of four to six thousand contestants. Of those, only about 400 end up appearing on the show each year. In July 2007, a contestant withdrew from a scheduled taping and Zarkin was finally able to return to California for the real thing. To prepare for the competition, Zarkin read the Book of Genesis anticipating Bible questions, perused the National Geography Bee study guides for grades 4- -6 to review state capitals and rivers and watched three episodes of Jeopardy! every day. Afself-proclaim-ed face-to-fa- ce ter watching enough, Zarkin realized success would depend on the categories received and how quickly she could activate the buzzer perhaps the biggest challenge of the whole experience. Although the buzzer appears simple to the audience, Zarkin said timing is difficult to master. After host Alex Trebek reads the question, a lighted display indicates when the buzzer can be used. If contestants try to use it too early, they are locked out for approximately a fourth of a second; not much time in absolute terms, but an eternity for a game based on quick thinking. "I can remember two categories. Everything else is a blur." Kim Zarkin Associate Professor of Communication Zarkin is unsure if the preparation helped because, to her surprise, nerves got the best of her. For all the public speaking she does, she didnt expect to become nervous. But upon climbing the box she was required to stand on to make the contestants heights appear equal, she felt the apprehension. I was as nervous as a freshman in high school in my first play, said Zarkin. Due to the nerves, she doesnt recall much of the taping. I can remember two categories, she said, identifying sea life and South Korea. Everything else is a blur. Jeopardy! producers instructed Zarkin to bring two sets of clothes to the taping should she win the first round. The show is taped five times per day twice the result of every week. Due to security measures scandals the quiz show of the 50s contestants are from approaching the writers, are allowed prohibited only minimal contact with Trebek and are even restricted from picking up lunch at the cafeteria counter without a middleman to prevent contact with the food service personnel. During the taping, Zarkin clutched a good-luc- k charm from her husband, associate professor of political science Mike Zarkin: a bear hoisting the letter K. She said her hand was permanently imprinted on the bear by the end. A though Zarkin cannot disclose results until the episode airs, every contestant wins at least $1000 to offset the cost of travel and lodging. As for the Final Jeopardy! question, she bet big. The subject was Charles Dickens and Zarkin was confident enough to justify the wager, but said sometimes its the subjects you know that can kill you. Despite enjoying herself and fulfilling a long-he- ld desire, Zarkin said the experience was deflating in a way. Its a dream come true, but all my other dreams are achievable. "It's the subjects you know that can kill you." Kim Zarkin Zarkin isnt the first member of the Westminster community to become a Jeopardy! contestant. Assistant Professor of Geology David Goldsmith competed in the shows 1994 College Championship as a Colgate University undergraduate, according to a fan archive online. Contestants are prohibited from appearing on game or reality TV shows for three years after their Jeopardy! experience, so those looking to see Zarkins trivia skills outside the classroom should catch the episode scheduled to air Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. on KJZZ. Westminster neighbors divided about campus relations while others are House residents Some praise college's community Sugar skeptical Macey Matthews said that the college tries to prepare the neighbors as the college is doing their part in maintaining positive much as possible beforehand. neighbor relations They might try, but they dont alEach building project starts with a neighborhood For Westminster students, the neighborhood surways do it honestly, she said. close rounding the campus is an ideal place to live. It is meeting, said Morgan. We talk about the project, exthe class in enough for students to quickly scramble to plain what will be occurring, and really try and show "I realize after and be return will a after construction the an them easily good thing. why morning classes for Wild Wednesday activities or study groups The construction of the new Kim T. Adamson actually live here all at the library. The neighbors who are not Westminster Aumni House is the latest project to raise concerns. she said. It's to go While some neighbors were not thrilled with the students, however, are sometimes not as pleased. we visit the dorms, I would say the majority of the complaints centhought of looking out their window to bulldozers and ter around parking, said Steve Morgan, who fielded dirt, some were more understanding. leave at all get fiTim Phillips and his family live two doors down many neighbor concerns as the vice president of from the new building and he is grateful for all that the nance and administration. The next big concern day." the does include them Jonette on to would probably be noise. Jacobsmeyer plans. college hold have to dont meetings or allow us to They She referred to the fact that the gate leading into "I have any say in things, but they do, said Phillips. residential student parking lot is supposed to be down. We are thankful for that. Different streets bring different concerns. Jonette The college previously agreed to use the gate in order to control traffic on 1200 East. Students were forced Jacobsmeyer lives directly across from the residential parking lot on 1200 East and said she is often to access the parking lot through the entrance on 1300 is student East and only authorized vehicles with a code could frustrated with cars blocking her driveway and garI pass through the 1200 East gate. bage cluttering her lawn. I wake up in the morning and find empty beer Morgan said that if too many complaints are received about excessive speeding or traffic on 1200 East bottles on one side of my lawn and cigarette packJonette Jacobsmeyer ages on the other, which is funny because I dont then the gate will be put back into use. Sugar House Resident smoke or drink, said Students can make our planning efforts better and Jacobsmeyer. Morgan said that complaints like these are difficult easier by being considerate of the neighborhood, MorMorgan, who was promoted to vice president of instito address. With parking, theres not much we can do. gan said. If they dont want the gate down, then they tutional advancement on Aug. 1, said that the neighborneed to be conscious of their actions.Through it all, hood is generally supportive of Westminster, but there are The neighbors have gotten together to create a restricted parking zone around the campus so if students are Westminster and the residents of the surrounding area some times when tension is a little higher than others. The colleges ongoing construction is one thing that parked there, they are ticketed, he said. All we can both agree that they are a community. tends to put the neighbors on edge. Dust and noise are really do is encourage students to park on campus. Continued on page 12 Unlike Phillips, Jacobsmeyer does not feel like two side effects of Westminsters growth, but Morgan StaffWriter all-nigh- that want them to the people fun to time," school or but the end of don't to the ter wake up in the morning and find empty beer bottles on one side of my lawn and cigarette packages on the other, which funny because don't smoke or drink." 9 SEPTEMBER 18, 2007 |