UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Ariana Mikulski, associate teaching professor of Spanish at Penn State, will have her national television debut at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, on the renowned game show "Jeopardy!"
After taking an online test a few years ago, Mikulski was invited to an in-person audition in Pittsburgh in August 2018. In January of this year, she received a call to be a contestant. With three weeks to plan all travel arrangements, Mikulski’s excitement grew. Not only did she have to set up her travel plans, but she also had to practice.
“I grew up watching the show, and I’m a trivia fan, so I was thrilled to be a contestant,” Mikulski said.
Mikulski’s episode was taped on Feb. 11 at the Sony Studios in Culver City, California.
“The experience of taping was surreal, fun and fascinating,” Mikulski said. “Everything happened so fast that it seemed like a blur. It was interesting to see all of the behind-the-scenes aspects of the show, like the podiums that make the contestants the same height or seeing Alex [Trebek] re-record the audio of a clue because he stumbles over a word.”
Tune in to ABC at 7 p.m. on April 9 to see Mikulski take the "Jeopardy!" stage.