WEBVTT - Made with VTT Creator 00:02.930 --> 00:05.760 Hi, my name's Megan Caldwell 00:05.760 --> 00:07.920 I am an IU alum and a volunteer 00:07.920 --> 00:10.290 with the San Francisco Bay Area chapter. 00:10.290 --> 00:12.045 And I'm really excited today 00:12.045 --> 00:14.070 to bring you a conversation with 00:14.070 --> 00:15.360 our own second place 00:15.360 --> 00:16.740 College Jeopardy Champion, 00:16.740 --> 00:18.105 Tyler Combs. 00:18.105 --> 00:20.100 Tyler and I had the opportunity to 00:20.100 --> 00:22.500 get introduced earlier this year, 00:22.500 --> 00:24.510 we're both... he's a student and 00:24.510 --> 00:26.430 I'm an alum of the Hamilton-Lugar School 00:26.430 --> 00:28.320 and we were paired as part 00:28.320 --> 00:30.420 of their mentorship program, that is ongoing, 00:30.420 --> 00:32.040 where they connect current students 00:32.040 --> 00:34.005 with alums in relevant fields. 00:34.005 --> 00:35.790 And so Tyler and I have had a chance to 00:35.790 --> 00:37.080 be chatting since the beginning 00:37.080 --> 00:37.890 of this school year, 00:37.890 --> 00:40.655 which has been really, really fun and 00:40.655 --> 00:41.930 I'll let Tyler kind of introduce himself 00:41.930 --> 00:44.029 and we'll dive into some questions. 00:44.029 --> 00:46.580 >> Thanks Megan, I really appreciate it. 00:46.580 --> 00:48.065 My name's Tyler Combs. 00:48.065 --> 00:50.675 I'm a senior at IU. 00:50.675 --> 00:53.030 I'm a major in Political Science 00:53.030 --> 00:54.110 with a minor in Russian 00:54.110 --> 00:55.565 and East European Studies. 00:55.565 --> 00:58.160 And like Megan said, I placed second 00:58.160 --> 00:59.660 in the Jeopardy College 00:59.660 --> 01:01.160 Championship this year, 01:01.160 --> 01:02.705 where it's just wrapped up 01:02.705 --> 01:05.689 airing this past Friday. 01:05.689 --> 01:07.535 >> Yeah, and exciting. 01:07.535 --> 01:08.360 We're gonna dig into 01:08.360 --> 01:09.410 so many questions about that. 01:09.410 --> 01:11.105 But before we get started, 01:11.105 --> 01:12.980 so this is obviously your final 01:12.980 --> 01:14.300 semester at IU and isn't 01:14.300 --> 01:16.340 exactly turning out as you thought. We're 01:16.340 --> 01:18.740 both in our homes 01:18.740 --> 01:20.120 instead of interviewing you 01:20.120 --> 01:21.935 in your Bloomington apartment, 01:21.935 --> 01:23.900 Um, how are you kinda hanging in there? 01:23.900 --> 01:25.160 How our classes going in 01:25.160 --> 01:27.709 this sort of total digital world? 01:27.709 --> 01:31.130 >> So it's been an interesting transition, 01:31.130 --> 01:32.810 one that personally I'm not 01:32.810 --> 01:34.970 exactly a big fan of because I like 01:34.970 --> 01:39.575 structure and actually going to class. 01:39.575 --> 01:41.150 And so the transition 01:41.150 --> 01:43.400 to Zooming into class while 01:43.400 --> 01:45.890 sitting in front of 01:45.890 --> 01:47.240 my desk right by 01:47.240 --> 01:49.654 my bed is really weird. 01:49.654 --> 01:52.970 It's... I would much rather be on 01:52.970 --> 01:54.800 campus with my friends 01:54.800 --> 01:56.405 actually going to class, 01:56.405 --> 01:57.980 and stay on top of things, 01:57.980 --> 02:00.260 and being able to enjoy my last semester in 02:00.260 --> 02:02.030 Bloomington instead of being 02:02.030 --> 02:04.635 stuck at my parents home in Greenfield, Indiana. 02:04.635 --> 02:07.480 But it kind of is what it is. 02:07.480 --> 02:08.980 I'm going with the flow. 02:08.980 --> 02:10.090 I can't change anything, 02:10.090 --> 02:13.270 so I'm not worrying about it too much. 02:13.270 --> 02:14.620 >> No, I appreciate that. And I think 02:14.620 --> 02:16.900 everyone can, uh, everyone can 02:16.900 --> 02:18.490 feel empathy for just being in 02:18.490 --> 02:19.690 a space they're not used to 02:19.690 --> 02:21.010 being in while doing work. 02:21.010 --> 02:22.330 For those of us who have 02:22.330 --> 02:24.160 the privilege to work from home 02:24.160 --> 02:26.110 it's definitely an adjustment 02:26.110 --> 02:28.720 whether you're a student or an alum. 02:28.720 --> 02:31.000 So everyone has been 02:31.000 --> 02:31.930 saying that because we 02:31.930 --> 02:32.980 don't have March Madness, 02:32.980 --> 02:34.120 we could use you as 02:34.120 --> 02:37.090 our IU cheering during - for Jeopardy. 02:37.090 --> 02:40.300 So again, you placed second in the tournament, 02:40.300 --> 02:42.159 which is really exciting, 02:42.159 --> 02:44.080 tell us a little bit, how did 02:44.080 --> 02:45.790 you even get on College Jeopardy? 02:45.790 --> 02:47.840 What's the process? How did this all start? 02:48.069 --> 02:51.140 >> So the process for getting 02:51.140 --> 02:53.570 on College Jeopardy is the same as the process 02:53.570 --> 02:56.090 for getting on standard Jeopardy. 02:56.090 --> 02:57.560 I think it actually is offered 02:57.560 --> 02:59.095 at any time now digitally, 02:59.095 --> 03:00.635 but in the past it was 03:00.635 --> 03:02.180 at specific times a year, 03:02.180 --> 03:04.265 there was an online test 03:04.265 --> 03:06.620 issued for gameplay in the pool 03:06.620 --> 03:08.945 to appear often to 03:08.945 --> 03:11.345 get into the pipeline for going on Jeopardy. 03:11.345 --> 03:13.595 And for this year's tournament, 03:13.595 --> 03:16.549 the online test was an October. 03:16.549 --> 03:18.110 I'd been a lifelong Jeopardy fan, 03:18.110 --> 03:19.400 been watched since I was 03:19.400 --> 03:22.160 in elementary or middle school and had 03:22.160 --> 03:22.790 actually tried out for 03:22.790 --> 03:24.230 the Teen Tournament in High School and then for 03:24.230 --> 03:25.370 the College Tournament in freshman year, 03:25.370 --> 03:26.540 and hadn't gone anywhere. 03:26.540 --> 03:29.420 Then my mom sent me the link for this year's College 03:29.420 --> 03:33.020 Tournament in October. And I was like, 03:33.020 --> 03:35.615 eh, it's my last year, may as well. 03:35.615 --> 03:37.220 Well, third time's a charm. 03:37.220 --> 03:38.495 We'll see how it goes. 03:38.495 --> 03:39.950 So I took the online test. 03:39.950 --> 03:41.540 A few weeks later, 03:41.540 --> 03:43.220 I got an email 03:43.220 --> 03:44.795 saying that I've been invited to 03:44.795 --> 03:48.875 an in-person audition in St. Louis for November. 03:48.875 --> 03:51.800 So I went to that, took another test, 03:51.800 --> 03:53.990 this one on paper, but same format, 03:53.990 --> 03:57.290 50 questions but like, you know, 03:57.290 --> 03:59.960 no fill in the blank or multiple choice, 03:59.960 --> 04:01.280 you just have to know it. 04:01.280 --> 04:03.800 And then we did the mock live rounds 04:03.800 --> 04:05.525 of Jeopardy with actual buzzers. 04:05.525 --> 04:08.450 so, that was nice. And then 04:08.450 --> 04:10.040 had personality interviews to 04:10.040 --> 04:11.720 see if we were TV ready. 04:11.720 --> 04:13.010 Because it's a TV show, 04:13.010 --> 04:14.060 they have to make sure 04:14.060 --> 04:15.620 that they've got people who know things, 04:15.620 --> 04:19.355 but also people who can make good television. 04:19.355 --> 04:21.050 So... did that. 04:21.050 --> 04:22.340 And I guess I made the cut 04:22.340 --> 04:23.780 because in mid January, 04:23.780 --> 04:26.060 I got a call saying that I 04:26.060 --> 04:27.800 made it onto the Jeopardy 04:27.800 --> 04:29.524 College Championship. 04:29.524 --> 04:31.550 >> And where were you, 04:31.550 --> 04:33.020 where were you when they called you and were like 04:33.020 --> 04:34.219 You're on Jeopardy! 04:34.219 --> 04:36.230 >> I was actually in class 04:36.230 --> 04:41.479 and so missed the call. 04:41.479 --> 04:42.680 I was walking out to the bus, 04:42.680 --> 04:43.970 checked in my phone, 04:43.970 --> 04:46.925 saw a missed call from California. 04:46.925 --> 04:49.985 I was like, huh 04:49.985 --> 04:51.395 like I only know 04:51.395 --> 04:54.095 two people in or from California, 04:54.095 --> 04:56.735 you, Megan, and one of my friends and 04:56.735 --> 04:59.690 it's neither, it's not either of them 04:59.690 --> 05:02.000 And then I check my voicemail. 05:02.000 --> 05:03.170 It was the contestant 05:03.170 --> 05:04.490 coordinator who had been at my 05:04.490 --> 05:07.745 St. Louis audition calling to say, 05:07.745 --> 05:10.010 calling to say, Hey, call me back. 05:10.010 --> 05:11.855 So I'm like, oh, oh, 05:11.855 --> 05:15.890 call back and got and got the message. 05:15.890 --> 05:17.359 I was on Jeopardy. 05:17.359 --> 05:19.130 >> That's so incredible. 05:19.130 --> 05:20.840 And who was the first person you told? 05:20.840 --> 05:23.480 >> Oh, I had to call my parents 05:23.480 --> 05:25.580 first because they would kill me had I not 05:25.580 --> 05:28.160 right after I got off the phone, 05:28.160 --> 05:30.110 I called my mom and she's like, ah, 05:30.110 --> 05:33.485 how are you doing? I mean, I'm good, by the way, 05:33.485 --> 05:37.655 I got on Jeopardy. Dead silent for a second. 05:37.655 --> 05:40.910 And then she's like, are you kidding me Tyler? 05:40.910 --> 05:42.755 Don't joke about this. 05:42.755 --> 05:43.880 Please don't joke about this 05:43.880 --> 05:45.890 I can't handle this if you're joking, 05:45.890 --> 05:47.614 please don't. Wait, Mom, I'm serious. 05:47.614 --> 05:49.040 And then she made 05:49.040 --> 05:51.330 my ears bleed by screaming. 05:51.550 --> 05:54.650 >> Well, it sounds like you owe her since she was 05:54.650 --> 05:57.124 the one who kind of nudged you to do it again? 05:57.124 --> 05:58.730 >> Yeah. And my parents were 05:58.730 --> 05:59.930 the first ones who are 05:59.930 --> 06:01.010 the ones who got me into Jeopardy. 06:01.010 --> 06:02.120 I can't remember how, but 06:02.120 --> 06:04.520 I think like I was a real precocious kid. 06:04.520 --> 06:06.020 Read a lot, loved facts. 06:06.020 --> 06:07.910 So I think they knew that 06:07.910 --> 06:09.830 this show was on and I would like it. 06:09.830 --> 06:12.665 So yeah, definitely owed it to her and 06:12.665 --> 06:14.480 my dad to let them know first 06:14.480 --> 06:17.029 since it wouldn't have happened without them. 06:17.029 --> 06:19.415 >> And how did you, did you, like 06:19.415 --> 06:21.740 study at all in between when they told you, 06:21.740 --> 06:22.910 okay, you're gonna be on the show. 06:22.910 --> 06:24.050 And then when they 06:24.050 --> 06:26.210 flew you out to California? 06:26.210 --> 06:28.310 >> Honestly, not a ton 06:28.310 --> 06:30.470 because it was so just, shock. 06:30.470 --> 06:32.210 I found out mid-January, 06:32.210 --> 06:33.230 the taping was literally 06:33.230 --> 06:36.694 the first Monday and Tuesday of February. 06:36.694 --> 06:38.570 So, I got like a two week 06:38.570 --> 06:41.000 turn around and I was busy with classes. 06:41.000 --> 06:42.950 So my main form 06:42.950 --> 06:44.960 of study and preparation was I watched 06:44.960 --> 06:46.550 a few episodes of Jeopardy on 06:46.550 --> 06:48.260 YouTube to 06:48.260 --> 06:50.105 practice buzzing in with a Jeopardy pen 06:50.105 --> 06:51.515 they'd given us that was 06:51.515 --> 06:53.270 similar size and shape 06:53.270 --> 06:54.755 to the buzzers, so 06:54.755 --> 06:56.270 I'd like, click down on that trying to 06:56.270 --> 06:57.935 buzz into practice on that. 06:57.935 --> 07:00.080 And then the... I tried to 07:00.080 --> 07:01.490 memorize, like, some basic things 07:01.490 --> 07:03.245 like State Capitals. 07:03.245 --> 07:05.810 And, for me personally, 07:05.810 --> 07:07.985 I went through and memorized 07:07.985 --> 07:09.860 the General Secretaries of 07:09.860 --> 07:10.490 the Communist Party of 07:10.490 --> 07:12.455 the Soviet Union in order. (laughter) 07:12.455 --> 07:15.290 Okay, this is my wheel house. 07:15.290 --> 07:16.460 If I don't get that, 07:16.460 --> 07:17.990 I'm going to be embarrassed, myself. 07:17.990 --> 07:19.100 So I want to make sure I know that one. 07:19.100 --> 07:20.450 But other than that 07:20.450 --> 07:22.085 I just kind of tried to maintain 07:22.085 --> 07:23.270 remain fresh on like 07:23.270 --> 07:25.310 my core subjects 07:25.310 --> 07:27.170 and keep up with current events 07:27.170 --> 07:29.735 in case anything like that came up, which is ironic 07:29.735 --> 07:30.800 considering how I ended up having a 07:30.800 --> 07:32.180 current events, Final Jeopardy 07:32.180 --> 07:34.879 in my first round and did not get it. 07:34.879 --> 07:36.950 >> Yeah. Well, you can only keep 07:36.950 --> 07:38.180 up on so much I feel like. 07:38.180 --> 07:40.490 There's a lot of news in the world. 07:40.490 --> 07:43.445 When you were going through this process, 07:43.445 --> 07:44.870 um, you and I have talked about this 07:44.870 --> 07:46.370 and they gave you some advice. 07:46.370 --> 07:47.810 But, what do you think 07:47.810 --> 07:49.700 was the best piece of advice, 07:49.700 --> 07:51.320 either someone from Jeopardy gave you, 07:51.320 --> 07:52.595 or someone else about 07:52.595 --> 07:53.900 participating and competing in the show? 07:53.900 --> 07:57.980 >> I think 07:57.980 --> 08:00.815 the best advice was 08:00.815 --> 08:01.760 something the contestant 08:01.760 --> 08:02.750 coordinators gave us, 08:02.750 --> 08:03.980 which is very simple 08:03.980 --> 08:05.840 when you hear about anything like this 08:05.840 --> 08:09.470 breathe, try to stay calm 08:09.470 --> 08:11.780 Because that was honestly 08:11.780 --> 08:12.980 the most important thing I found. 08:12.980 --> 08:14.720 Like, my worst match by far 08:14.720 --> 08:16.910 was the first day of the Finals. 08:16.910 --> 08:17.990 And that was the one 08:17.990 --> 08:20.435 match where I'd say I kind of lost my cool. 08:20.435 --> 08:24.425 And so, like, staying calm 08:24.425 --> 08:26.884 and collected was huge. 08:26.884 --> 08:29.285 >> And how long are each of, like, 08:29.285 --> 08:31.010 when we see you on TV, 08:31.010 --> 08:32.510 obviously, for a cut them out of time, 08:32.510 --> 08:34.250 but how long were you in 08:34.250 --> 08:36.140 the stage for each of the rounds? 08:36.140 --> 08:37.190 Like, are you there for an 08:37.190 --> 08:38.930 hour, a true 30 minutes? 08:38.930 --> 08:40.669 What does it, what is that actually like? 08:40.669 --> 08:42.920 >> Only about half an hour because we 08:42.920 --> 08:44.090 go on there right before 08:44.090 --> 08:45.870 they start filming for like the, 08:45.870 --> 08:47.480 the cut in of introducing 08:47.480 --> 08:50.720 the contestants and then, 22 minute episode, 08:50.720 --> 08:52.070 and then we're on there during 08:52.070 --> 08:55.610 the space that they cut to commercial. 08:55.610 --> 08:58.100 So, about half an hour, 08:58.100 --> 09:00.799 but felt, it simultaneously 09:00.799 --> 09:02.390 felt way shorter and 09:02.390 --> 09:03.710 way longer. Because it flies 09:03.710 --> 09:06.830 when you're in the moment but at the same times it's like, oh, oh, 09:06.830 --> 09:09.830 I'm here. >> Because you 09:09.830 --> 09:12.349 film it all on the same day, is that right? 09:12.349 --> 09:13.040 >> Yep. 09:13.040 --> 09:14.300 >> Two days. Jeopardy only films 09:14.300 --> 09:15.020 two days a week. 09:15.020 --> 09:16.370 So we filmed the whole Tournament 09:16.370 --> 09:18.844 on a Monday, Tuesday. 09:18.844 --> 09:21.140 >> When you think back on 09:21.140 --> 09:22.550 all of the questions that you were asked in 09:22.550 --> 09:24.260 all the rounds, what did you think 09:24.260 --> 09:26.989 was the hardest question for you? 09:26.989 --> 09:33.335 >> Ooh. I think 09:33.335 --> 09:35.195 of the ones I remember, because I don't remember many 09:35.195 --> 09:40.880 I think the Final Jeopardy on 09:40.880 --> 09:44.720 my... the first day of Finals 09:44.720 --> 09:47.420 was probably the hardest for me. 09:47.420 --> 09:48.650 That was the one where it was like, about, 09:48.650 --> 09:49.775 this play by Shakespeare is 09:49.775 --> 09:52.220 based on, like, a 09:52.220 --> 09:55.040 1549 coup against the Duke of Genoa 09:55.040 --> 09:56.870 or something like that 09:56.870 --> 09:59.510 and the answer was The Tempest and it's 09:59.510 --> 10:01.460 one of those deals where, like, either, you know 10:01.460 --> 10:04.250 the Tempest. Either you know the Tempest 10:04.250 --> 10:07.400 or you don't. I'm not familiar with the Tempest. 10:07.400 --> 10:09.590 So there were a lot of other ones 10:09.590 --> 10:11.300 I had where it's, in retrospect, it's like, oh, 10:11.300 --> 10:11.810 I could have made 10:11.810 --> 10:13.190 a guess based on other knowledge. 10:13.190 --> 10:16.415 Whereas that one's, like, my only guess 10:16.415 --> 10:20.150 is one of dozens of Shakespeare plays, 10:20.150 --> 10:21.830 though I think that one was 10:21.830 --> 10:23.720 definitely the most difficult. 10:23.720 --> 10:25.490 >> And what is the one you're 10:25.490 --> 10:28.710 most, like, proud of knowing the answer for? 10:33.060 --> 10:35.260 >> I'm really, there's one 10:35.260 --> 10:37.405 about NATO that I was really proud of 10:37.405 --> 10:39.940 getting just because I'm 10:39.940 --> 10:41.784 a political science major, 10:41.784 --> 10:43.090 really active in the 10:43.090 --> 10:44.170 International Studies community. 10:44.170 --> 10:45.745 So it's like, if I don't get that, 10:45.745 --> 10:48.594 what am I doing? 10:48.594 --> 10:50.170 >> Yea, I think some of your Hamilton-Lugar colleagues 10:50.170 --> 10:51.925 would've been... would've ribbed you about that 10:51.925 --> 10:52.990 >> Exactly 10:52.990 --> 10:54.759 >> a little bit. Yeah. >> Yeah. 10:54.759 --> 10:56.860 >> Um, oh, my 10:56.860 --> 10:58.000 My daily double 10:58.000 --> 10:59.140 my first match, I was also really 10:59.140 --> 11:01.630 proud of. The answer was magical realism. 11:01.630 --> 11:02.350 I was just really 11:02.350 --> 11:03.310 satisfied with that one because it 11:03.310 --> 11:05.260 was a literary question. 11:05.260 --> 11:06.970 I love literature, it's kind of obscure. 11:06.970 --> 11:08.590 So it's like, hey, I knew with that, 11:08.590 --> 11:10.525 but that was another one that I also 11:10.525 --> 11:13.709 I only knew from class I took at IU. 11:13.709 --> 11:16.249 I knew that one from my Russian literature course. 11:16.249 --> 11:17.450 >> I was about to say, 11:17.450 --> 11:18.680 if you're in Russian literature, 11:18.680 --> 11:20.120 you have to know what magical realism is 11:20.120 --> 11:23.525 that's a requirement. That's awesome. >> Exactly. 11:23.525 --> 11:25.145 >> So what was your favorite... 11:25.145 --> 11:26.690 When you look back on the whole experience, 11:26.690 --> 11:27.950 end to end, what was 11:27.950 --> 11:30.260 your favorite part about participating 11:30.260 --> 11:31.520 and something we might not 11:31.520 --> 11:33.140 have seen by following 11:33.140 --> 11:36.290 you on TV? 11:36.290 --> 11:37.880 >> Oh, 100% the people, like 11:37.880 --> 11:39.890 the other competitors in 11:39.890 --> 11:41.915 the College Tournament were amazing. 11:41.915 --> 11:43.550 They're all super nice, 11:43.550 --> 11:44.810 super intelligent people. 11:44.810 --> 11:46.805 We became friends very quickly. 11:46.805 --> 11:48.175 Because what else are you going to 11:48.175 --> 11:49.490 do if you're in this high pressure 11:49.490 --> 11:51.365 once in a lifetime environment, 11:51.365 --> 11:53.105 together constantly, 11:53.105 --> 11:54.500 sometimes for eight hours 11:54.500 --> 11:56.295 at a time in a green room. 11:56.295 --> 11:58.630 And we just all really hit it off and, 11:58.630 --> 12:00.865 like, really became a tight group quickly. 12:00.865 --> 12:02.530 And so that's where you'll see that 12:02.530 --> 12:04.600 the fact a lot Jeopardy contestants 12:04.600 --> 12:05.680 like, it's a shared experience. 12:05.680 --> 12:06.730 So they become friends, 12:06.730 --> 12:07.810 particularly in the College Tournament. 12:07.810 --> 12:09.205 And since you're all the 12:09.205 --> 12:10.990 same age group, 12:10.990 --> 12:12.520 same social demographic 12:12.520 --> 12:15.790 in terms of, like, your interests. 12:15.790 --> 12:18.115 And so that was really, 12:18.115 --> 12:19.540 that was really nice. 12:19.540 --> 12:20.950 and then staff, too, was amazing. 12:20.950 --> 12:22.180 The testing coordinators really 12:22.180 --> 12:23.425 did a great job of 12:23.425 --> 12:25.435 making us feel prepared to go on, 12:25.435 --> 12:27.895 but of also putting us at ease. 12:27.895 --> 12:29.170 Like every commercial break 12:29.170 --> 12:30.190 they'd be coming on the stage, 12:30.190 --> 12:32.260 to hype us up, get us some water, 12:32.260 --> 12:36.175 make sure we were okay. You give us high fives, 12:36.175 --> 12:38.460 fist bumps, just to chill us out. 12:38.460 --> 12:39.650 So that was really nice. You don't, 12:39.650 --> 12:41.060 you see the show, 12:41.060 --> 12:42.950 you see Alex Trebek who is 12:42.950 --> 12:44.900 great in person, um, very funny 12:44.900 --> 12:45.890 and really does 12:45.890 --> 12:46.760 a good job of saying and 12:46.760 --> 12:49.475 putting the audience and contestants at ease. 12:49.475 --> 12:50.960 But you don't see 12:50.960 --> 12:53.735 the support network behind in 12:53.735 --> 12:55.460 the show and you don't 12:55.460 --> 12:56.899 see the relationships 12:56.899 --> 12:58.250 between the contestants. 12:58.250 --> 13:00.439 And they're all wonderful people. 13:00.439 --> 13:03.095 >> That's such a great experience. Is there 13:03.095 --> 13:04.850 like, a College Jeopardy, 13:04.850 --> 13:06.620 like alumni group, not just from 13:06.620 --> 13:07.670 this year but for other 13:07.670 --> 13:09.739 years that you've met? 13:09.739 --> 13:11.599 >> Umm, we have... 13:11.599 --> 13:13.190 Not that I've met. But I know 13:13.190 --> 13:16.070 the College, the College Championship class 13:16.070 --> 13:21.120 of 2010 was shouting us out big time. 13:21.120 --> 13:23.380 Wishing us luck since we were the 2020 group. 13:23.380 --> 13:24.820 And, um, there's 13:24.820 --> 13:26.860 we were talking to the contestant coordinators 13:26.860 --> 13:28.885 and there's a strong bond between contestants, 13:28.885 --> 13:30.160 many groups who have been on 13:30.160 --> 13:31.510 the College Championship are 13:31.510 --> 13:34.644 still friends years, even decades, later. 13:34.644 --> 13:36.940 >> That's really, that's really amazing. 13:36.940 --> 13:38.500 It seems like you kind of, it's, 13:38.500 --> 13:40.030 it's such a good sort of 13:40.030 --> 13:41.680 stressful but fun experience. 13:41.680 --> 13:42.850 Good way to bond with people 13:42.850 --> 13:44.785 pretty quickly >> Exactly. 13:44.785 --> 13:46.720 >> Well, that's so great. 13:46.720 --> 13:49.090 Congratulations again on, like, even making it in, 13:49.090 --> 13:50.709 making it to the Finals, 13:50.709 --> 13:51.925 representing Indiana. 13:51.925 --> 13:53.710 I know, at least 13:53.710 --> 13:56.140 the people I know were texting me like, 13:56.140 --> 13:57.220 are you watching this? 13:57.220 --> 13:58.990 And I was like, I actually know this guy. 13:58.990 --> 14:01.180 I was joking with you earlier that 14:01.180 --> 14:02.440 you were giving me street cred 14:02.440 --> 14:03.915 and making me more relevant. 14:03.915 --> 14:06.964 Of which I'm obviously very grateful. 14:06.964 --> 14:11.194 >> You're welcome. >> So, I know you. 14:11.194 --> 14:12.620 >> So you've been attending IU, 14:12.620 --> 14:14.480 you're a Senior. This is your last year. 14:14.480 --> 14:17.600 And how did you decide to go to IU? 14:17.600 --> 14:19.055 What kind of sealed the deal to 14:19.055 --> 14:21.604 become an Indiana Hoosier and do that? 14:21.604 --> 14:23.900 >> Well, it's not exactly a story 14:23.900 --> 14:26.480 I'm too proud of, so I am a, 14:26.480 --> 14:28.955 I'm a first generation college student. 14:28.955 --> 14:30.680 Neither of my parents went to college. 14:30.680 --> 14:31.880 Very few people in 14:31.880 --> 14:33.800 my immediate family, period, have 14:33.800 --> 14:36.275 gone to college or a four-year university. 14:36.275 --> 14:38.960 So in going through high school, 14:38.960 --> 14:40.205 while I certainly had assistance from 14:40.205 --> 14:43.190 counselors, on the whole I was kind of uncertain 14:43.190 --> 14:44.390 like, I didn't really 14:44.390 --> 14:46.310 know how the process worked 14:46.310 --> 14:48.995 relative to many other kids who go to college 14:48.995 --> 14:50.870 And I remember actually getting to 14:50.870 --> 14:53.240 my junior year before I 14:53.240 --> 14:54.710 realized I had to take 14:54.710 --> 14:57.500 the SAT and ACT to even go to college. 14:57.500 --> 14:59.435 Like that's the level I was operating at. 14:59.435 --> 15:02.210 So it like all kinda hit home. 15:02.210 --> 15:05.885 Like, oh, future, I need to have a future. 15:05.885 --> 15:08.015 College is important for future. 15:08.015 --> 15:11.690 Oh, so I kind of freaked, I was like, okay, 15:11.690 --> 15:15.440 I need to go to a school that is 15:15.440 --> 15:21.365 affordable but also very strong academically. 15:21.365 --> 15:23.465 So I was basically between 15:23.465 --> 15:25.580 IU and Purdue for those reasons. 15:25.580 --> 15:27.920 And, but then I 15:27.920 --> 15:29.510 knew I wanted to study political science. 15:29.510 --> 15:31.460 So I was definitely leaning toward IU because 15:31.460 --> 15:32.810 of our really strong 15:32.810 --> 15:34.490 political science department. 15:34.490 --> 15:38.449 And I took one visit to the campus, 15:38.449 --> 15:39.620 first time I'd ever been IU, 15:39.620 --> 15:40.880 first I'd ever been to Bloomington and 15:40.880 --> 15:42.920 fell in love immediately I was like, 15:42.920 --> 15:44.120 this is the place I want to spend 15:44.120 --> 15:45.619 my next four years. 15:45.619 --> 15:48.380 >> That's, that's awesome. I have a very- 15:48.380 --> 15:50.150 I went to campus and - as soon as - 15:50.150 --> 15:52.340 I'm from California and as soon as I visited, 15:52.340 --> 15:54.080 I like bought the sweatshirt that day. 15:54.080 --> 15:55.670 I was like, this is it, I'm done. 15:55.670 --> 15:57.484 I'm not going anywhere else. 15:57.484 --> 16:00.410 >> That's the case for most people 16:00.410 --> 16:02.030 they're uncertain until they go to 16:02.030 --> 16:04.909 campus and that's the moment it sold. 16:04.909 --> 16:06.710 >> It's a pretty beautiful place. 16:06.710 --> 16:08.599 You can't, you can't blame people. 16:08.599 --> 16:11.030 What was your experience when you 16:11.030 --> 16:11.870 transitioned being 16:11.870 --> 16:13.280 a first-generation college student? 16:13.280 --> 16:14.750 What were some of 16:14.750 --> 16:16.550 the things that helped you kind of make 16:16.550 --> 16:18.155 that transition to IU 16:18.155 --> 16:19.700 since you may be coming from 16:19.700 --> 16:20.900 a different experience than 16:20.900 --> 16:24.304 some other classmates or roommates. 16:24.304 --> 16:26.450 >> So something that really helped me was I 16:26.450 --> 16:28.910 lived in an LLC 16:28.910 --> 16:32.750 I lived in the um, 16:32.750 --> 16:34.490 the Hutton Honors College 16:34.490 --> 16:36.350 LLC in Teter Quad. 16:36.350 --> 16:37.760 So shout to anyone who 16:37.760 --> 16:40.985 lives or has ever lived in Teter Quadrangle. 16:40.985 --> 16:42.980 And so that really helped 16:42.980 --> 16:46.400 because as I was in an environment that 16:46.400 --> 16:49.720 had a bit of extra support for doing stuff like 16:49.720 --> 16:51.760 programming and bringing students together 16:51.760 --> 16:54.460 relative to a lot of other places on campus. 16:54.460 --> 16:57.100 And then I knew that being in that community, 16:57.100 --> 16:59.140 I would have access to 16:59.140 --> 17:02.590 people with my, with similar interests to myself. 17:02.590 --> 17:04.210 I made some of my best friends 17:04.210 --> 17:05.680 on that floor and in fact like 17:05.680 --> 17:07.750 two of my three roommates 17:07.750 --> 17:09.715 who I live with now as a senior 17:09.715 --> 17:11.140 were people who I met 17:11.140 --> 17:12.520 on my floor freshman year, now 17:12.520 --> 17:14.020 count among my best friends. 17:14.020 --> 17:16.540 So that was definitely 17:16.540 --> 17:18.249 one of the best things for me. 17:18.249 --> 17:21.025 >> That's awesome. And when 17:21.025 --> 17:22.615 you - what was your 17:22.615 --> 17:23.725 have you discovered over the years, 17:23.725 --> 17:25.690 what is your favorite spot to kind of study 17:25.690 --> 17:28.089 on campus that you enjoy? 17:28.089 --> 17:29.530 >> Definitely the Global and 17:29.530 --> 17:30.915 International Studies Building 17:30.915 --> 17:32.480 It's a beautiful place, 17:32.480 --> 17:34.610 really, really well lit 17:34.610 --> 17:35.945 with all those windows. 17:35.945 --> 17:40.475 And not only is it like, nice 17:40.475 --> 17:41.960 physically but also 17:41.960 --> 17:43.370 it's always got this energy 17:43.370 --> 17:45.515 that makes me feel very determined and focused, 17:45.515 --> 17:47.270 like seeing all these other people who are 17:47.270 --> 17:49.280 passionate about international affairs. 17:49.280 --> 17:52.295 And the world at large is really inspiring. 17:52.295 --> 17:53.330 As someone who is passionate 17:53.330 --> 17:54.170 about foreign languages, 17:54.170 --> 17:56.300 it's amazing if you walk into the hallway and 17:56.300 --> 17:59.180 hear three to four different languages, 17:59.180 --> 18:00.965 I don't even know is people who, 18:00.965 --> 18:02.510 who study the same 18:02.510 --> 18:03.860 languages just casually run into each 18:03.860 --> 18:05.135 other in the hallway 18:05.135 --> 18:06.380 like I regularly run into 18:06.380 --> 18:07.610 people who have conversations 18:07.610 --> 18:09.230 in Russian there. 18:09.230 --> 18:12.050 So just the energy about it really keeps me 18:12.050 --> 18:15.080 focused and really getting 18:15.080 --> 18:16.160 down to business because it's like, 18:16.160 --> 18:18.259 wow, I'm passionate about this. 18:18.259 --> 18:19.880 >> Yeah, it's really beautiful. 18:19.880 --> 18:21.290 And for any alums who haven't had 18:21.290 --> 18:22.160 the chance to be back to 18:22.160 --> 18:23.060 campus in a few years - 18:23.060 --> 18:24.320 in a few years - it's a 18:24.320 --> 18:25.715 a beautiful new building. 18:25.715 --> 18:27.515 Kind of sits really close to the Wells 18:27.515 --> 18:29.480 Library. I have had 18:29.480 --> 18:30.950 the privilege to go back and visit. 18:30.950 --> 18:32.660 And it is really a stunning place. 18:32.660 --> 18:34.160 And it is so cool to have 18:34.160 --> 18:35.975 all the languages in one building. 18:35.975 --> 18:38.810 That is a really unique experience, I think. 18:38.810 --> 18:40.265 I mean, I'm always, 18:40.265 --> 18:41.720 whenever I go back to campus, 18:41.720 --> 18:42.950 I always hear students telling me 18:42.950 --> 18:43.535 they're learning like 18:43.535 --> 18:44.840 two or three different languages. 18:44.840 --> 18:46.490 in that building, which is just, 18:46.490 --> 18:49.130 I'm super impressed. 18:49.130 --> 18:52.160 >> One of my best friends has become, 18:52.160 --> 18:54.380 I guess it would be 18:54.380 --> 18:58.075 quadri-lingual in her four years at IU, 18:58.075 --> 19:00.070 I'm like, wow, 19:00.070 --> 19:01.450 I'm still struggling with Russian after four, like, 19:01.450 --> 19:04.089 respect the hustle. 19:04.089 --> 19:05.034 >> Yeah. 19:05.034 --> 19:06.399 That's I don't know. 19:06.399 --> 19:08.380 That's outside the range of my skillset. 19:08.380 --> 19:12.100 >> Same. 19:12.100 --> 19:14.500 >> So tell us, what has been your favorite class 19:14.500 --> 19:15.670 or your favorite professor 19:15.670 --> 19:16.810 that you've really enjoyed, 19:16.810 --> 19:18.040 Either at Hamilton-Lugar School 19:18.040 --> 19:18.670 or somewhere else 19:18.670 --> 19:19.989 in the university. 19:19.989 --> 19:23.140 >> So Favorite class. 19:23.140 --> 19:24.520 That's a tough one. I've had 19:24.520 --> 19:27.355 some many amazing classes at IU. 19:27.355 --> 19:29.650 Some of my favorite professors are 19:29.650 --> 19:31.900 definitely Dina Spechler in the 19:31.900 --> 19:34.030 Political Science department and 19:34.030 --> 19:36.775 the grande dame of Russian foreign policy, 19:36.775 --> 19:39.200 she's been a phenomenal mentor to me. 19:39.200 --> 19:40.700 I've been teaching assistant 19:40.700 --> 19:41.930 for her several times. 19:41.930 --> 19:43.535 I kind of owe 19:43.535 --> 19:45.155 everything about my current 19:45.155 --> 19:46.310 career trajectories and 19:46.310 --> 19:47.540 interests to her, like I'm 19:47.540 --> 19:49.460 very passionate about 19:49.460 --> 19:53.165 Eurasian politics and foreign affairs 19:53.165 --> 19:55.160 and would love to make a career out of 19:55.160 --> 20:01.145 studying and analyzing the culture 20:01.145 --> 20:03.800 around geopolitics of that region. 20:03.800 --> 20:06.380 So definitely owe a lot to her. 20:06.380 --> 20:07.670 I've taken some wonderful 20:07.670 --> 20:08.810 Russian literature courses 20:08.810 --> 20:10.710 with Jacob Emery and the Slavic Department. 20:10.710 --> 20:13.430 The best thing I've ever done for 20:13.430 --> 20:15.890 my Russian language learning was taking 20:15.890 --> 20:17.555 Summer Language Workshop 20:17.555 --> 20:18.620 for third-year 20:18.620 --> 20:21.400 Russian, and was taught by Svitlana Melnyk 20:21.400 --> 20:23.110 also in the Slavic Department, 20:23.110 --> 20:26.470 who is an amazing language educator. 20:26.470 --> 20:27.670 So yeah, I've just had 20:27.670 --> 20:30.340 so many wonderful professors in classes at IU 20:30.340 --> 20:31.750 that really shaped me as a person. 20:31.750 --> 20:35.080 >>That's great and so good to hear, 20:35.080 --> 20:36.400 especially because it's been across 20:36.400 --> 20:37.630 so many different departments 20:37.630 --> 20:39.415 which is really amazing. 20:39.415 --> 20:41.709 >>Love the interdisciplinary. 20:41.709 --> 20:43.389 >> Hey, that's a good thing. 20:43.389 --> 20:45.325 It's designed to be that way. 20:45.325 --> 20:47.620 When you think about the thing you're 20:47.620 --> 20:49.330 going to miss after you graduate, 20:49.330 --> 20:50.230 what do you think you're going to miss 20:50.230 --> 20:52.610 most about being an IU student? 20:53.279 --> 20:54.910 >> That's a tough one. 20:54.910 --> 20:55.870 There's so many things I'm going to 20:55.870 --> 20:57.580 miss, like I'm gonna miss 20:57.580 --> 20:59.800 Bloomington, it's a wonderful small town. 20:59.800 --> 21:01.120 I'm so sad I don't get to spend 21:01.120 --> 21:03.280 my last - my senior spring completely there. 21:03.280 --> 21:06.280 I'm gonna miss my friends obviously, 21:06.280 --> 21:08.215 as we all kinda go different places 21:08.215 --> 21:09.820 easier than ever to stay in contact. 21:09.820 --> 21:12.145 But that's not the same as - as 21:12.145 --> 21:15.520 hitting the Bloomington bars on a Friday night. 21:15.520 --> 21:18.760 I'm going to miss being a student, honestly, 21:18.760 --> 21:21.805 like just in terms of literally going to class. 21:21.805 --> 21:24.760 Like I've loved my academic experience at IU, 21:24.760 --> 21:26.470 I love my professors, 21:26.470 --> 21:29.350 and I'm probably going to be in 21:29.350 --> 21:31.150 grad school sooner rather than 21:31.150 --> 21:33.415 later just because I'm going to 21:33.415 --> 21:35.140 miss being, like, just 21:35.140 --> 21:38.049 devoting all my time to learning so much. 21:38.049 --> 21:38.994 >> Yeah. 21:38.994 --> 21:40.390 And once, um, I 21:40.390 --> 21:41.860 know IU is working really hard to 21:41.860 --> 21:43.570 find a time for you all 21:43.570 --> 21:45.490 to celebrate graduation again, 21:45.490 --> 21:48.115 when this all kind of calmed down. 21:48.115 --> 21:49.510 When you do that, what are 21:49.510 --> 21:51.265 what's the - Where are you going to go 21:51.265 --> 21:52.360 to eat in Bloomington, 21:52.360 --> 21:53.650 and where's like the one place on 21:53.650 --> 21:54.340 campus you're going to 21:54.340 --> 21:56.480 take a graduation picture? 21:56.519 --> 21:59.380 >> Graduation picture has to be 21:59.380 --> 22:01.510 in front of the Sample Gates, it's mandatory. 22:01.510 --> 22:03.730 Like if you >> Good answer 22:03.730 --> 22:04.900 >> If you don't get a grad picture 22:04.900 --> 22:06.070 in front of the Sample Gates, 22:06.070 --> 22:10.600 did you even graduate from IU? 22:10.600 --> 22:12.970 And, place I'm going to eat... 22:12.970 --> 22:18.220 That one's so tough. One of my sleeper favorites 22:18.220 --> 22:20.350 is actually Social Cantina, 22:20.350 --> 22:23.950 like, I think it's pretty new, 22:23.950 --> 22:26.785 some of the best tacos I've ever had 22:26.785 --> 22:28.180 and it's kind of, like ,it's 22:28.180 --> 22:30.365 right on the Square, but 22:30.365 --> 22:31.655 it like, it hasn't yet become 22:31.655 --> 22:33.350 kind of like the Bloomington, 22:33.350 --> 22:34.790 the B-Town staples 22:34.790 --> 22:37.010 in the way Mother Bears or Nick's has been 22:37.010 --> 22:38.450 But I definitely think you could get 22:38.450 --> 22:40.744 there because it's really good. 22:40.744 --> 22:43.100 >> Ok, and as 22:43.100 --> 22:45.140 one sort of like last question for you, 22:45.140 --> 22:46.520 I know that you 22:46.520 --> 22:47.975 and I have talked a lot about this. 22:47.975 --> 22:49.310 Being a senior in 22:49.310 --> 22:51.350 2020 is a very different experience 22:51.350 --> 22:52.520 than it has been for 22:52.520 --> 22:53.450 every class that has 22:53.450 --> 22:55.160 graduated up until this point. 22:55.160 --> 22:57.080 What's kind of your message to 22:57.080 --> 22:58.220 your fellow members of 22:58.220 --> 23:00.110 the Class of 2020 about 23:00.110 --> 23:01.550 just what would you want to tell 23:01.550 --> 23:04.520 them about just, feeling, 23:04.520 --> 23:06.230 calmer in this moment 23:06.230 --> 23:07.460 or whatever message you have to 23:07.460 --> 23:11.370 bring to your fellow seniors. 23:14.159 --> 23:18.175 >> I think the big one is that, This is a really dramatic time and like 23:18.175 --> 23:20.215 challenging time for sure 23:20.215 --> 23:22.255 that's really upending our lives. 23:22.255 --> 23:23.710 But we've kind of been 23:23.710 --> 23:25.630 preparing for this our whole lives. 23:25.630 --> 23:27.250 Like we've grown up in 23:27.250 --> 23:29.950 a time of disruption. 23:29.950 --> 23:32.080 Like we were little kids when 9/11 23:32.080 --> 23:35.050 happened and we, we - 23:35.050 --> 23:36.430 weren't even in our teens yet when 23:36.430 --> 23:38.680 the Great Recession happened, 23:38.680 --> 23:40.540 it's been a tumultuous time 23:40.540 --> 23:41.830 our whole lives and this kind 23:41.830 --> 23:43.435 of just lays it bare. 23:43.435 --> 23:47.425 And I think we can rise to the challenge 23:47.425 --> 23:49.780 because we've grown up in a time of 23:49.780 --> 23:52.510 challenge where I think we 23:52.510 --> 23:54.040 have been toughened for it 23:54.040 --> 23:56.470 and can endure it and make the 23:56.470 --> 23:58.615 most of it in a way that 23:58.615 --> 24:00.190 the other generations might 24:00.190 --> 24:01.525 not be able to. 24:01.525 --> 24:02.935 Like, this is our world. 24:02.935 --> 24:04.540 Love it or hate it. 24:04.540 --> 24:06.550 And so I think 24:06.550 --> 24:09.190 we have been given a kind of preparation 24:09.190 --> 24:11.020 to take it on 24:11.020 --> 24:13.390 and make the best of it for ourselves 24:13.390 --> 24:15.340 and everyone else in 24:15.340 --> 24:18.414 a way that perhaps no one else has. 24:18.414 --> 24:21.760 >> Yeah, I, I have full confidence that you 24:21.760 --> 24:23.050 will be able to do this 24:23.050 --> 24:24.760 in our many talks together. 24:24.760 --> 24:26.650 I know that you're well-prepared 24:26.650 --> 24:28.600 and as a millennial myself, 24:28.600 --> 24:32.470 I'm always in awe of Gen Z resilience. 24:32.470 --> 24:34.300 So I appreciate that. 24:34.300 --> 24:37.030 And Tyler, really again, congratulations! 24:37.030 --> 24:38.680 We're super excited that we've been able to 24:38.680 --> 24:42.110 cheer you on. And as Tyler's mentor 24:42.110 --> 24:43.460 I'm just going to put in a little piece 24:43.460 --> 24:45.035 here if you are interested or you 24:45.035 --> 24:46.550 work in Eurasian Studies or 24:46.550 --> 24:48.244 policy or just diplomacy, 24:48.244 --> 24:50.450 you can always email Tyler. 24:50.450 --> 24:51.950 He would love to learn a little bit from you. 24:51.950 --> 24:54.020 I won't, I will use this moment to do that. 24:54.020 --> 24:56.030 But really, Tyler, thanks for your time. 24:56.030 --> 24:57.800 It's, it's, just really fun to get 24:57.800 --> 24:59.060 to learn a little bit about your life 24:59.060 --> 25:00.320 in Bloomington and Jeopardy. 25:00.320 --> 25:01.550 And we really appreciate 25:01.550 --> 25:02.914 you sharing the time with us. 25:02.914 --> 25:05.014 >> I really appreciate it Megan. Thank you. 25:05.014 --> 25:06.109 >> Thanks. 25:06.109 --> 25:06.770 Bye all. 25:06.770 --> 25:07.864 Have a lovely day. 25:07.864 --> 25:09.510 >> Bye.