By
NOVEMBER 9, 2007
Asianjournal.com
Kid Jeopardy Champ is a FilAm
10-year old Rachel Lee Millena brings home $28,000
CONCORD, CA – A proud lola, Mrs. Cely
Still a Filipino
Rayco Millena called last week to share
Although Rachel and her sister were
the good news about her granddaughter
born in the US, their parents instill in
Rachel Lee A. Millena. At 10 years old,
them their Filipino roots. Rachel’s proud
Rachel bested other whiz kids in the game
grandparents, arrived here in 1979 as
show Kids Jeopardy aired last October 9.
special immigrants granted to her lolo,
A sixth grader at St. Francis Catholic
Rolando Millena. He worked for 21 years
School in Concord, Rachel was selected
at the Ship Repair Facility at the Subic Bay
among 10,000 registered kids from age
Naval Shipyard in Olongapo City as Chief
10-12 years old. The numbers went down
Metallurgist. Rachel’s father was only 13
to 3,000, then to 200 and finally to 15
years old when he arrived in the US with
contestants.
his four other siblings.
Her road to becoming a Kids Jeopardy
Engr. Millena believes that it is very
winner started when she saw the Kids
important to instill faith and humility in
Week registration ad. Rachel asked her
their daughters’ lives. He and his wife, Lea,
parents for permission to register and
a full-time mother and housewife, agree
take the online test last March, wherein
that without their own parents’ diligent
each participant had to answer each of
efforts and dedication to provide them
the 30 questions in 10 seconds. In July, explained.
with the proper moral values and faith in
Rachel was informed that she was one of There is no doubt that her youth is just
God, there will not a be a moral compass
the 200 finalists selected for an audition. one part of her. Her answers showed how
to guide them. They also immerse their
Among 15 contestants, Rachel became smart and intelligent she is. Engr. Millena
children in the traditions and culture
the biggest winner of the week. In her said that Rachel likes to take on challenges
of Filipinos. Being Bicolanos, they also
face-off with the two contestants during and gives it her best shot.
participate in the Peñafrancia Fiesta held
the final round, she had won $16,000 “She, of course, enjoys meeting and
in San Leandro every year.
already. Faced with the final Jeopardy overcoming those challenges but more
“Of course, the ‘mano po’ blessing we
question, “Name the only US president importantly, she learns from her mistakes
greet our elders is one of the little things
who never lived in Washington, DC,” when she falls short,” her father said
we have taught our girls,” said Engr.
Rachel bet $12,000. She answered proudly.
Millena.
‘George Washington’ and walked away Everybody’s game
Rachel and her sister visited the
with $28,000. During the interview on the show,
Philippines for the first time in July last
Just another girl Rachel said, “It’s everybody’s game.” For
year. Engr. Millena believed that it was an
Bubbly, precocious and friendly were someone who won over thousands of
eye-opening experience for both.
the impressions that this reporter had kids to get to the final round, she was
“It’s one thing to be able to tell the girls
after her phone and e-mail interview with admittedly still nervous being on TV and
stories from our own experiences when
Asian Journal. competing with other kids.
we lived there,” he said . “It is so much
“Rachel is just like any 10-year-old “You never know what questions will
more when they actually see, feel, smell
girl,” said her father, Engr. Millena. He is a come up,” Rachel shared. “...And there
and live it there.”
principal train control engineer at BART were a lot of smart kids there,” she added.
Both girls enjoyed the experience so
Systems Engineering. “She loves her She never thought that she would
much. Aside from the sights, beautiful
American Girl doll, and is an avid reader.” emerge as the Final Jeopardy winner. “I was
beaches, fresh fruits and wildlife, Rachel
Aside from reading, Rachel loves hoping to just have fun, learn something
also had to chance to see her best friend,
history, plays the piano and is a member new and make friends,” Rachel said.
Gianna, who recently moved back to the
of the Walnut Creek Girls Golf Club. She The Millenas made trips to Los Angeles
Philippines.
also acts in her school drama class. As a for the past three months for the audition.
After all the excitement, Rachel is busy
sister, she loves playing with her sibling, When they received the call late July
with school and her extra curricular
Rebecca Lee, who is 8. Although there are from the contestant coordinator, they
activities. She looks forward to her future
times that they disagree with each other, were informed that Rachel was of the
— either as a novelist, concert pianist,
being an older sister, Rachel has learned 15 kids selected. She prepared for the
photojournalist, or reporter. As for her
to be more understanding. “Rachel loves competition in Los Angeles by reviewing
$28,000 prize, most of it will be saved for
being a big sister and enjoys sharing geography, history, US presidents and
her college fund and to buy a new laptop
the spotlight with her sister,” her father literature.
computer — a pink one. (AJ)
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