Mark Japinga '09 a contestant on 'Jeopardy!'

A 2005 Holland High School graduate who went on to study political science at Grinnell College in Iowa, Mark is now works as a legislative researcher for Stateside Associates in Alexendria, Va. He has lived in Washington, D.C., for the past 18 months after a stint in Austin, Texas.

"It's always been my favorite game show," Mark said. "I've always liked trivia."

Mark, 25, admits he simply has a knack for remembering trivia details and joked his memory for other things isn't great.

"It's always something I've been good at, remembering weird bits of information," Mark said. "It made a good fit for trivia and a good fit for 'Jeopardy!.'"

His parents encouraged Mark to try out for "Jeopardy!" college tournament. He didn't make it then.

"It's something he's always wanted to do," Jeff said. "Any parent would be proud."

Last fall, Mark took the online test, open to everyone, and was called in December to test in person in Baltimore, Jeff said. He was told at the end of that day he earned a spot in the contestant pool and his name would stay there for 18 months.

"They might call him, they might not," Jeff said. "But he really didn't wait long, it was a really a quick turn around."

Mark was called in February. He went to California to tape in late March. How he fared on the show had to be kept quiet for three months. Mark is looking forward to watching himself on the show and watching the reactions of his friends as well.

Because of the way the show is taped, five episodes in one day, with the contestants having no idea when they would be called up, Mark had little time to deal with nervousness. He watched a few episodes be taped, then his name was called.

"It all moves so quickly that you really don't have time to think about it," he said, "which helps with nerves."

"I had a lot of fun," he said. "Just great fun."

Watch The Sentinel for a follow up on Mark's appearance.

• Holland Sentinel, "Holland native Mark Japinga wins again on popular quiz show 'Jeopardy!'." July 12, 2013.