Catholic high school student competes in 'Jeopardy!' teen tournament

Published: 2005-01-24

HICKSVILLE, N.Y. (CNS) -- Because of a confidentiality agreement, 17-year-old Kerri Regan could not reveal if she bet big bucks on the "Jeopardy!" daily double. But she did mention her secret to qualifying as one of only 15 high school students to appear on the "Jeopardy!" teen tournament this year. "I read a lot and soak up a lot of useless trivia," said Regan, a senior at Holy Trinity Diocesan High School in Hicksville and parishioner at St. James Church in Seaford. She also tunes into "Jeopardy!" almost every night. She beat 1,500 teens for the chance to fly to Los Angeles and respond to "Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek in question form. On the show, players pick a category, Trebek gives a clue and the contestant who hits the buzzer first must supply the correct response in the form of a question. She said Trebek enjoyed talking to her, but that he really loved her dog, referring to the 2-year-old black Labrador retriever that constantly accompanies her. Regan is blind and the Labrador is her guide dog. Regan was to appear on "Jeopardy!" Jan. 27.

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