6 The Queens Courier • FEBRUARY 13, 2014 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com DREAM COME TRUE Queens teen comes in second on ‘Jeopardy!’ BY MELISA CHAN [email protected] A teen whiz from Queens put her brains to the test on Jeopardy’s College Championship Tuesday, but came in a little short in her matchup. Laurie Beckoff, 19, was the runner-up, amongst two other young geniuses, with a grand total of $13,400 on February 10. Though it was not enough to earn a winner’s spot, the University of Chicago sophomore will see Friday if she qualifies for one of four “wild card” spots given to top scorers amongst nonwinners. “It was more fantastic than I could have ever imagined,” she said. “Having people watch it makes me relive all the nervousness.” The Hollis Hills teen, who automatically gets $5,000 for going on the show, is now facing some heat from friends and strangers from the Twittersphere for not wagering enough money to force a tie. “I knew that if I got it wrong and wagered everything and gone for that tie, I would be completely out,” she said. “I won’t say it was the wisest choice, but it was what went on in my head at that time.” The experience was still a dream come true for the ambitious scholar, who had tried three times before to get on the long-running quiz show, but did not advance past the audition. A motivation to meet the show’s host, Alex Trebek — a nightly, though virtual, dinner guest — kept her going, her mother said. “She has been determined to get on this show,” said mom, Esther Beckoff. “She grew up with Alex. He is part of our dinner ritual. I purposely have dinner ready just about 7 o’ clock, so that we can all watch ‘Jeopardy!’ together.” Beckoff, who studies English and political science in Chicago, said he was “really cool, very friendly.” “It definitely seems to go a lot faster than when you’re sitting at home,” she said. Beckoff, a Harry Potter fanatic, is also a former salutatorian at Townsend Harris High School and a previous volunteer for Councilmember Mark Weprin. The two-week tournament started February 10. “It was really just amazing,” Beckoff said. “It was the time of my life.” Photo courtesy of Jeopardy Productions, Inc. Queens teen Laurie Beckoff came in second in her “Jeopardy!” College Championship matchup. st of the 2013 THE QUEENS QueensCourier.com Place NEW YORK INTERNAL MEDICINE, P.C. 1 7 - 5 2 F R A N C I S L E W I S B L V D • W H I T E S T O N E • 7 1 8 - 7 4 6 - 9 4 9 4 Dr. Ayman Attia Alla & John Kelly, P.A. Specialize In Providing Care For All Your Needs In One Location IN OFFICE SERVICES: • Blood Tests • X-Rays • Ekgs • Echocardiograms • Carotid, Arterial & Venous Dopplers • Abdominal & Renal Sonograms • Bone Density Testing • Allergy Testing • Nerve Studies • EMG • ABI • EEG • Ultrasound Guided Biopsy for the Thyroid Tumor • Stress Testing • Pulmonary Function Testing • Pulse Oximetry • INR (blood thinner) result in seconds • Hemoglobin A1C Testing (In Office) ON SITE SPECIALISTS INCLUDE: Neurologist, Cardiologist, Pain Management, Allergist, Urologist, Gastroenterologist & Podiatrist Our Personalized Weight Loss Program Provides A Board Certified Internist, Nutritionist, A Special Diet & Exercise Team JOIN OUR FREE MEETINGS AND GROUP SESSIONS CALL YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY TODAY TO CHANGE YOUR PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER TO AYMAN ATTIA ALLA, M.D. (OUR TRAINED STAFF WILL HELP YOU WITH THIS PROCESS) OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK : MONDAY, WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY 10-7 TUESDAY & THURSDAY 10-8 • SATURDAY 9-2 EASY RESIDENTIAL PARKING WE ACCEPT ALL INSURANCES FOR AN APPOINTMENT CALL - 718-746-9494
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