Being from Arkansas means a lot to me.

And like a lot of you, I find myself rooting for people with ties to the state. I take a lot of pride in folks from here doing big things.

In fact, I've got a confession to make that will illustrate my point. A few years ago there was a contestant on Project Runway who, at the time, lived near Little Rock. I stopped leaving the room to read when my wife was watching the show just because this designer was loosely affiliated with home.

That means I'll likely be investing time in American Idol this year because there are two contestants from the state competing (including a family friend, Ann Wizer Difani). Who knows, maybe one of them win it all like Conway native Kris Allen did.

NFL, NBA, politics, reality shows, whatever. It's just nice to see Arkansans succeed.

Which brings me to the latest source of state pride: Teen Jeopardy contestant Leonard Cooper of Little Rock.

It's not just that Leonard Cooper won $75,000 that should make you swell with pride. It's how Leonard Cooper won the money.

Leonard's answer to the Final Jeopardy question was:

Who is some guy in Normandy. But I just won $75,000.

Who is some guy in Normandy. But I just won $75,000.

Incredible.

What kind of pride am I feeling here? This right here is bordering on President Bill Clinton in Charlotte, celebrating with the 1994 NCAA champions level of pride right here, y'all.

Grantland.com has a great breakdown of Leonard's day on Jeopardy.