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Contact:	TIM MASSIE (845) 575-3171

MARIST GRAD WINS $57,000 ON "DEAL OR NO DEAL"

POUGHKEEPSIE - Two turned out to be a lucky number for recent Marist College graduate Kaitlin Brennan, whose selection of that numbered briefcase on the NBC game show "Deal or No Deal" led to a $57,000 payday.

Brennan, who received a Bachelor of Science degree summa cum laude in communication and media arts last May, decided to take an offer for that amount from the show's "banker," rather than hold onto her briefcase. It turned out she made the right deal. The briefcase she gave up contained $25,000. The show aired on November 3.

The East Brunswick, NJ, native went to an open casting call in June in North Jersey. She learned of the opportunity during her job search. The audition was a series of quick interviews with show employees. Brennan said about 3,500 people showed up for the audition, standing on line "American Idol-style."

"I don't know if it was fate, or the fact that I could not stop smiling as I stood in front of the producers, but somehow I got an offer to be on the show to hold a case," said Brennan. "The catch is being on the show does not mean you will definitely get to play. The daytime version works a little differently, where instead of the models holding the cases, people like me get that job. If your number gets picked then you get to play. Out of 22 people, only five would get to play."

"It was an incredible experience, and if it taught me anything, it was that no matter how silly your goals may seem it is always worthwhile to go for them. Getting on this show was a goal. I had talked about being on this show in high school, so the fact that I actually got on is unbelievable," Brennan said.

The show was taped in Connecticut, and Brennan said she was shocked when her number was called. "Being up there with (host) Howie Mandel was so much fun and it went by so quickly. I was not making calculated decisions as I chose my cases, but rather just picked whatever number I felt like picking. Lucky for me the lack of strategy seemed to work out well because I walked away with the most money all week $57,000!"

Brennan said she made some great friends along the way and heard some interesting stories about what other people planned to do with their money. She went through the entire process, from audition to taping, with another recent college graduate from North Jersey. "It was great having her there to share this experience," she said.

"I think one of my favorite parts of this whole experience has been everyone else's reactions," Brennan said. "My friends and family from all over were completely shocked because they had no idea."

Now to the important part what will Brennan do with the money? "I was adopted from Chile when I was a baby so I plan on a nice vacation to see where I was born with family and a few friends. Beyond that I'll be saving the money, and waiting for the Alumni Office to call."

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For further information, call the Marist College Office of Public Affairs at (845) 575-3174.