November 7, 2002
Chad Mosher, 12, is in Los Angeles to tape a children's
version of
'Jeopardy', a program to be aired in January.
7th-grader wins 'Jeopardy' spot
By Joe
Lawler
Journal Staff Writer
Kearsley -- Chad Mosher, 12, has
been rehearsing for a game show since he was a toddler.
"When he was 3
and 4, he used to walk around with a pencil in his hand and pretend to be a game
show host," said his mother, Cathy. "He would even say, 'We'll be back after
these commercial messages.'"
His favorite shows: "Jeopardy" and "Wheel of
Fortune."
His favorite network: The Game Show Network.
While Chad
won't be the host, he'll be a contestant on "Jeopardy" and meet one of his
idols, host Alex Trebek. His family was to fly to Los Angeles on Wednesday for
the taping of "Jeopardy," which periodically features a "kids week" with
contestants ages 10-12. The show is expected to air in January.
Chad, a
seventh-grader at Armstrong Middle School, said he discovered a preteen tryout
for "Jeopardy" in Cleveland on the Internet. He scored well on a 30-question
test in Cleveland and was one of nine students among about 85 to make it on the
show.
The questions were about a variety of subjects, such as Nelson
Mandela, the former president of South Africa, and the characters of the classic
novel "Little Women."
If he takes first place, he'll win $10,000 or more
depending on his score. Second place is worth $2,000 and third is
$1,000.
"I guess I just like to know things," Chad said. "I like being
competitive."
Diana Bowman, his Quiz Bowl coach, said Chad has a knack
for trivia. He works with her after school, going over questions and
lists.
He also plays trivia games on the computer at home and with his
family.
Bowman said Chad is calm and a natural leader. Last year he was
the only sixth-grader to captain a Quiz Bowl team.
"Some kids, when they
get a question right, they get really excited and celebrate. When he gets a
question right, he flashes his shy smile, and he's ready for the next question,"
Bowman said.
When asked how he was preparing for "Jeopardy," Chad
shrugged his shoulders.
"I'm really paying attention in class now," he
said.