College Quiz Show Victory

November 13, 2012

With only 12 days to study, Columbia College Chicago sophomore Karen Herrejon was asked to take part the Hispanic Association of College & Universities' “Hispanic College Quiz.” Six rounds later, Herrejon took 2nd place in the nationally televised competition, earning a scholarship to continue her studies.

After another student had to withdraw from the program, Herrejon had less than two weeks to prepare before the first taping. To prepare, she worked off the Hispanic College Quiz study guide, which focused on the achievements and advancement of Hispanics in the United States. She believes her time at Columbia helped in her studies as the five categories focused upon in the show – Art & Design, Musical Theater, Performance, Television and Radio – are all part of the Columbia College curriculum. Columbia College was the only Midwest school to participate in the program.

Herrejon hopes to one day become a broadcast journalist herself, focusing on either foreign policy or the Latin community. She will use the prize money towards her studies and hopes to turn the experience into an internship opportunity as well. She is active with the Conway Achievement Project, whose mission is to help low-income, first-generation college and special needs students actualize their maximum potential and graduate, as well as with the Columbia College Latino Alliance. It is through this group that she met Daniel Aranda, the director of Latino Cultural Affairs at Columbia College, who became her coach for the quiz show.