“It took me awhile to get used to the idea, but now I’m excited,” she said.

Born to Egyptian parents, Naam has traveled all over the world when not in her home state of Illinois.

At Harvard, she said she divides her time between her schoolwork and her passion for X-Box.

Naam, a dedicated “Friends” fan, said it was tough to miss the season premier of the show Thursday night to participate in the final mock competition.

Naam said she watches Jeopardy! less religiously. Instead, she said she picks up random knowledge by playing Trivial Pursuit with her blockmates in Leverett.

She said she would most like to see the categories Geography, Politics, and Entertainment on the Jeopardy! board.

Naam said she knows she will have to compete against other trivia aces, including Yale junior Robby R. Schrum ’05—and is less than happy that the game will be staged in New Haven, affording Schrum the home court advantage.

“It’s not going to be easy, but I’ll try not to let Harvard down,” she said.

The Jeopardy! organizers specifically sought out a Harvard contestant to pit against a Yalie in the spirit of rivalry.

Schrum, a classics major and an a cappella singer, said he is still in shock over his nomination.

Like Naam, judges selected him from a pool of over 1,000 undergraduates through two tests and a mock competition. In the end, he said his “stage presence” distinguished him from the other Yale finalists.

“I’m a bit nervous because I don’t really know what to expect,” Schrum said. “Although there’s definitely pressure in competing with Harvard, I’ll be calm and clear-headed.”

Undergraduate Council President Rohit Chopra ’04, who was responsible for bringing Jeopardy! to Harvard, said he has full confidence that Naam will defeat the Yalie.

The winner of the game will get at least $50,000 and a new Volvo.

According to a press release, “Jeopardy! College Championship” will air November 10 to 21 in Hartford and New Haven on WTNH at 7 p.m.