Rice's Jasmine Manansala, a Brown College senior majoring in computer science and cognitive science, is a contestant in the "Jeopardy!" National College Championship that begins airing Feb. 8.
Manansala was selected from tens of thousands of hopefuls after a rigorous application process. When asked about her experience, she called it a "much-appreciated and much-needed confidence boost."
"I've been watching 'Jeopardy!' since I was little, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to make my child self proud," she said.
Manansala admitted that the call to be on "Jeopardy!" in the middle of the semester last fall, when the tournament was filmed, was an extra stressor along with her classes.
"But I'm still happy to be a part of something so exclusive and magical," she said.
She noted that she's still in touch with the friends she made while competing.
"We've all agreed that the best part was making great connections with each other," she said.