Contestant Blogs
This Week's Contestant
Mary S.
| Theme: | Halloween |
|---|---|
| Hometown: | Gowanda, NY |
| Week of: | 10-24-2011 |
POSTED 10-25
It's showtime...the day of July 14th I woke up determined to have fun and to seize the day. I arrived at Sony Studios at 7:30am and was escorted into the studio with 20 of my fellow contestants. The range of emotions displayed by everyone was exhilarating. The contestant coordinators came into the room and gave us an outline for the day's schedule and my anticipation was building. Then to everyone's surprise, Vanna came into the room to told us to have fun and wished us good luck.
After years of watching the game show from my living room with my family it was amazing to see the set in person. We got the chance to do practice spins of the wheel; I couldn't believe just how heavy the wheel really was. We then went back into the dressing room and picked the order and show that we were going to be on, I was selected for the third show and in the third spot. As the first two shows were underway, I was able to solve most of the puzzles with ease from the audience.
My turn to play had finally come, and the first toss up stumped me. We then were introduced by Pat, and my nerves were starting to get the best of me. The second toss up happened and again I was stumped. It was now up to the luck of the wheel and our skills. The puzzle was Before and After, I always liked this category. When it was my turn to spin the wheel, I ended up losing my turn. A few letters were called by my fellow contestants and the million dollar wedge had been landed on, but both lost their turns. The wheel came back to me and I knew I needed to solve a puzzle to get on the board. At last, the puzzle came to me "Best Selling Author Anne Rice-A-Roni". I was on the board with $1,800 and a 1/2 Car in front of me.
The next puzzle was the prize puzzle. It was only three words, but it was tricky. Letters were uncovered slowly and it was my turn again. In this round I had landed on the other 1/2 Car and a Wild Card. My heart was racing and the puzzle was not quite clear to me yet. Then, with one last spin, I landed on the mystery wedge. I called a letter that was thankfully in the puzzle and had to decide whether or not to pick it up. I decided not to, since I had some serious prizes that I didn't want to lose. At that very moment, the puzzle came to me and I said "I'D LIKE TO SOLVE" in a loud voice with the biggest smile "Luxurious Spa Services". My luck had definitely changed and I was now in the lead with a new Ford Fiesta, a trip to Costa Rica and a Wild Card!!! We took a quick commercial break, and I could barely stand as my adrenaline was pumping.
It was time for the third toss up and I was the first to ring in with the answer, "Fantasy Football". I was on a roll. The bell rang and Pat gave the wheel a final spin. Although I did not get the last puzzle, I was happy that my fellow contestants did really well. I couldn't believe it, but had made it to the Bonus Round and had a Wild Card still.
I was so thankful for what I had won already, especially since I don't have a car back in San Francisco. The chance to win even more was mind blowing. I spun the bonus wheel as hard as I could and walked over with Pat to the puzzle. I called 3 consonants and a vowel, and then another consonant because of my Wild Card. The letters began to light up and I knew the puzzle right away. As soon as the timer started, I shouted "Good Advice", and it was right!!! I began jumping up and down and my husband, Patrick and friend, Tiffany came running out as I had just won an additional $30,000. What an amazing day!!!
My husband and I are looking forward to driving our new Ford Fiesta all around San Francisco and taking our trip to Costa Rica. We plan on using the additional winnings towards a down payment for our first house with our growing family. Thank you to the Wheel of Fortune Staff for this once in a lifetime experience.