Contestant Blogs

Donna S.

POSTED 10-17

I first started watching Wheel of Fortune when I was a kid in the early 1980's. I can remember staying home from school when I was sick and watching Wheel was a highlight of staying home, even on the days when I really was sick. I've always enjoyed games in general, but Wheel has always been my all-time favorite. I like word games and the familiarity of Pat and Vanna always made the show even more fun. Friends and family would often tell me I should try out for the show because I was pretty good at it, so several years ago I started submitting my application online but never heard back. Then I joined the Wheel Watcher Club and started receiving email alerts when the Wheel Mobile would be in my area.

This past year I have seen several friends go through trying times unfortunately, whether it has been health-related or unemployment or other misfortunes that life brings, so I decided that I needed to be grateful for what I have and try new things, because life is short and you never know what each day will bring. I decided to create a bucket list and start living life to the fullest. Wheel was one of the first things on my list. I just wanted to at least try out so when the Wheel Mobile came to Ontario, California, I didn't hesitate (and neither did a couple thousand other people!) I was lucky enough to have my name pulled to play Wheel that day and then I waited, anxiously, to see if I made it to the next round. Sure enough, I received an email a few weeks later saying that I made it past the first round! The second round was nerve-wracking! I thought for sure that I hadn't made it, and when the letter didn't arrive two weeks after the contestant coordinators said it would if we made it, I was heartbroken. My sadness quickly turned to excitement though when the belated letter arrived. I had made it onto the show!

Thanks to Facebook and email and all kinds of technology, soon all my friends and family were bombarded with my excitement about being selected for the show. I actually went on standby first since I was a resident in the Los Angeles area, and that was a blast even though I wasn't going to be on the show that day. I met so many fun and interesting people that I almost forgot why I was there to play Wheel! The day I actually played I was fortunate to meet even more interesting people from around the country. I can't say enough about what an amazing experience the whole process has been. From the friendly, helpful Wheel staff to the exquisite Dessert Hideaways stage setting and of course the glorious "Wheel", everything was perfect. It has definitely been an experience of a lifetime and I'm beyond grateful for it. I almost forgot to mention that I didn't do too badly when I played. Tune in on October 17th to see the excitement. If you have ever thought about trying out, don't wait one more second. Go to www.wheeloffortune.com and find out what you need to do to try out! If I can do it, anyone can!