Contestant Blogs
This Week's Contestant
Sherdena J.
| Theme: | Fun & Fit |
|---|---|
| Hometown: | Greensboro, NC |
| Week of: | 10-01-2012 |
POSTED on Monday, October 1st, 2012
As I was growing up my mom always watched Wheel of Fortune and being I was usually right by her I began watching too. I have always enjoyed puzzles (as well as being good at them) and Wheel wasn't any different. When I found out about becoming a "Wheel Watcher" with a SPIN ID I immediately signed up and continued to watch Wheel every night at 7pm faithfully. Most of my friends teased me about being so addicted to Wheel but I didn't care.
Earlier this year I received the email that changed my life. All I saw was "Wheel is coming to your area!" I was ecstatic! The email told me to send in a video about myself and stating why I love wheel and would be a good contestant. I begin thinking "What can I say or do to stand out?" I wrote down everything I wanted to say and practiced on my family. I came up with the great idea to have a Wheel of Fortune picture in the background of my video using a menu screen from our Wii (the game was a must have Christmas present when it came out). I sent in the video and waited.
A couple of days later I received the email for my audition in Raleigh! The email said the audition should not be the only reason you drive wherever,' yea right I was going no matter what but of course I stopped at the Cheesecake Factory, too. The actual audition was a blast. The people hosting the audition were fun and energetic and my nervousness quickly went away. After the first round of the audition they came back and called out the names of those who would be staying for the second half of the audition. They called name after name after name and I began to think maybe I didn't make it. With only probably five names left "Sherdena Johnson!" "Whoo!" I acknowledged I was there and on the inside jumped for joy. When the second round was over they said if you've been chosen to be a contestant you will receive a letter in the mail within two weeks, after thatwell that means you can audition again!
Two weeks approached and I went to the mailboxthere was no letter for me, my heart sunk a little. The very next day I went and got the mail not expecting anything and there it was my congratulations letter! I called my dad and screamed in the phone "I'm going to be on Wheel of Fortune, I got my letter today!" He congratulated me and I waited to tell my sister and mom in the car later. They were just as excited as I was. Now I just had to wait for a call informing me when I would need to fly out. Therefore I waited
On the following Tuesday as I was on the 103rd floor of the Willis (Sears) Tower in Chicago on vacation I realized I had a missed call on my phone and a voicemail. I stepped into the quiet restroom to listen to the message and almost screamed when I heard who it was and what it was about. I called back, left a message and then kept a close watch on my phone as I continued looking at the view. When Wheel called back I stopped everything and spoke with them ignoring everyone else. I immediately began planning my trip to the west coast.
Traveling to the west coast was an experience all in itself because I'd never been. Therefore, when we landed in California I was excited and my excitement only increased as I realized I would actually be in the Wheel of Fortune studio the next day. I went to bed with confidence and anticipation of the following day where one of my lifelong dreams would be coming true.
I have to admit I may be 22 years old but I acted like I was six (6) the minute I got onto the Sony grounds. When we walked onto the actual stage that we see on TV all I could say was "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, I can't believe I'm actually here!" I apologized to fellow contestants because of my overwhelming obvious excitement. We practiced spinning the wheel and calling out letters. They told us the other contestants on our show and we picked which show; Lucky #1. We nicknamed ourselves "The Blue Crew" since all three of us had on different shades of blue. The whole experience was surreal and I will forever remember it as well as all the people I came in contact with.
To know how well "The Blue Crew" started off "Fun & Fit Week," be sure to watch Wheel of Fortune Monday, October 1st, 2012, the beginning of my birthday month.