Chatham Student In 'Jeopardy!'

CHATHAM, NJ - Chatham High School's Rhea Sinha has turned her experience as a member of the CHS Academic Team into a shot at television quiz show immortality as the senior is set to complete in the Jeopardy! Teen Tournament, which airs from Nov. 7 to 20. Sinha will be on the air on Nov. 12.

"Honestly, being on Jeopardy! was the coolest experience of my entire life and one that I'll remember and cherish forever," Sinha said. "I'm close friends with all the other contestants, and we still text and video-chat daily; we've bonded over being on the show."

According to officials, more than 10,000 teens took the online test, of which approximately 300 teens were called back for the in-person auditions, which took place across the country. Only 15 students, nationally, made it into the Teen Tournament. As part of the selection process, Sinha took an online test, comprised of 50 Jeopardy!-style questions, last March after a friend from the CHS Academic Team asked all the members to take the test to see how they did.

Sinha received an email inviting her to attend an in-person audition in Washington, D.C., last June. During the audition she completed a second 50-question test, a mock round of Jeopardy!, and a personality interview. She received a call the next month, which informed her that she had been selected to appear on the show.

"I freaked out when I got the call, she said. "I had never been more excited in my entire life."

Sinha traveled to Los Angeles in August to compete.

"To prepare, I mostly just looked at my Academic Team flashcards and did practice questions online," Sinha said.

Sinha's counselor at CHS, Liz Tully-Cano, said Sinha is a an exceptionally talented and bright young woman with an insatiable curiosity and desire to learn about the world around her.

"She is a genuine example of a life-long learner," Tully-Cano said. "I'm thrilled for her to have had this experience, and I'm looking forward to watching her compete on Jeopardy! with my family."

CHS Principal Darren Groh said that Sinha's appearance on Jeopardy! is just the latest in a string of her accomplishments.

"Rhea has done wonderful things while at Chatham High School. It is no surprise that her work ethic and love for learning has earned her this unique opportunity," Groh said. "It will be exciting to see Rhea on Jeopardy and I hope she enjoyed the moment."

For her part, Sinha credits her experience as a member of the CHS Academic Team with preparing well to compete on this national stage.

"Honestly, being part of the CHS Academic Team and going to all the tournaments, especially Nationals, prepared me for the experience pretty well," Sinha said.

(Photo courtesy of Jeopardy Productions, Inc)

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