Update: Local Teen Wins Jeopardy Kids, Receives Key to City

Thirteen-year-old Josiah Washington of Columbia is flying on Cloud 9 this week.

Months after Washington taped an episode on Jeopardy Kids Week, which aired Thursday night, South Carolinians and the country found out that Washington was the winner, bringing home a total of $22,200.  

Washington said he wanted to be on Jeopardy after seeing the show at the age 4.

The first time Washington took the test for the show, he said he didn't do well but that didn't keep him from trying again. He tried again and did better than the initial test. 

Through the process, Washington said he has learned a big life lesson: "If at first you don't succeed, just try again," he said. 

Earlier in the day, before Washington was unveiled as a Jeopardy champion, he was recognized in front of family  and friends at the Richland Library, the place where he spends a lot of his time as a junior volunteer.

Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin presented Washington with a plaque and the key to the city.

"It feels cool to get a key to the city," Washington said. "It just feels overwhelming."

"I just thank the Lord for bringing me here."

One of Washington's next goals is to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology  and study mechanical engineering, and go to Harvard Business School and get his MBA.

What's Washington's dream job?

"To become the CEO of my own roller coaster company," he said. 


See the video above of the ceremony.

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