Contestant Blogs

Donna S.

POSTED 10-18

Finally... game day arrived! To say that I was overwhelmed is an understatement. Even though it had been a long process to get on the show, the actual game day came and went so quickly because it was so much fun. The day started out quite early and I was having a terrible hair day, but luckily I arrived at the Sony Studios early enough to hit a local grocery store and buy a curling iron and hair brush to try to fix it up in a local restaurant bathroom.

After an informative and exciting morning with the Wheel staff, it was time to randomly draw which show I would be on. My group ended up being the first show taped! I wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing, but I was anxious to just play. It was now or never. Right off the bat I won the first toss up puzzle, which was a miracle because I had never had much luck with those at home. During my introduction, my nerves got the best of me and I said something I hadn't intended to say and Pat was able to make a joke of it. I like to write letters to the troops overseas and I like to write poetry, but somehow it came out that I like to write rap songs! I do dabble a little in writing rap, in fact I had written a Wheel of Fortune rap. Luckily I stopped myself from saying that before Pat had a chance to make me do it on television. My 19-year-old son never would have forgiven me.

I went on to answer another toss up puzzle and I got the prize puzzle correct, which ended up being a trip to St. Maarten! This led to me being the big winner and I got to go on to the bonus round. It was bittersweet because after getting to know my fellow contestants, Juanita and Brian, I was sad when their luck ran out. I quickly had to remind myself that this was a once in a lifetime chance though and I needed to just go for it and have fun. The bonus round puzzle was tough! Luckily I picked just the right letters because the second word had all the letters in it. I thought I knew right away what the first word was but for some reason it didn't look like there were enough letters to be what I thought it was. I soon discovered there were enough and I answered Young Calf right away, and it was correct! Pat opened the shiny card that revealed $35,000! I wanted to cry I was so excited but I held it together. The best part was seeing my Mom and son, who had travelled all the way from Georgia, and my boyfriend David and friends Becky and Susan after I had won. They made the whole experience extra special.

My plans for the money include saving some of it, paying off some of my son's college loans, and donating some to the American Cancer Society in honor of some close friends who are battling cancer right now. They inspire me each day to make the most of life, which was one of the reasons I wanted to try out for Wheel. I also plan on donating some money to the Foundation for Glendora Unified Schools and PTA. Oh, and I will splurge a little on myself and buy a new television so that I can continue watching the best game show in the world Wheel of Fortune! Money aside, I have to say that this was one of the most amazing experiences I have had the fortune of going through. I can't say enough about the Wheel of Fortune staff. They are all so good at their jobs and really go out of their way to try to help you to win and to just have fun. Meeting all the other contestants was also a huge bonus. I'm very grateful to Wheel of Fortune for giving me an experience that I will never forget.