Local band teacher to compete on Jeopardy! – KWQC
PRINCETON, Ill. (KWQC) -Steven Olson, a longtime band teacher at Princeton High School and Logan Elementary, will make his national television debut as a contestant on Jeopardy! airing Friday, Sept. 19 at 4:30 p.m. on KWQC.
A lifelong fan of the iconic quiz show, Olson taped his episode in August at the Sony Pictures Studios in Los Angeles.
He appeared on Quad Cities Live ahead of the broadcast and viewers can catch the guest interview in the attached video.
Getting on Jeopardy! is no small feat—Olson completed a multi-step audition process that included online testing, live proctoring, and a Zoom audition before being selected for the contestant pool.
Olson says the experience was fast-paced and far more intense than playing along at home. He spent weeks preparing, studying past clues and practicing buzzer timing.
The outcome of the show remains under wraps until the episode airs.
The episode will also be available for streaming on Hulu and Peacock the following day, Sept. 20.
Olson’s students and colleagues have rallied around the news, and his family plans to host a watch party on Saturday, Sept. 20.
Copyright 2025 KWQC. All rights reserved.