Shannon F.

Shannon F.

Theme Week:
Dream Vacation
Contestant:
Shannon F.
Hometown:
Metairie, LA
Week of:
August 10, 2009

Posted on 08-15


I won! And I won BIG! All those years of watching the show with my mom paid off. When you're standing there with the lights blaring, the audience staring and all the distractions, it's hard to get into the zone. But after two toss ups and a prize puzzle, it was time for me to tune in and quickly.

My competitors were fierce, but like I said, I have been watching this show for a long time (not to age myself, but before Pat was the host!). In three puzzles, I managed to pull ahead and keep the lead. I won $10,200 to advance to the bonus round! At first I didn't even realize I had won! Looking at the scores, I was doing the math wrong. But as Pat walked by me to tell the other contestants good-bye, I realized I was the big winner.

Now it was time for the bonus round. As the production assistant was coaching me, I just knew that I was going to win. This was the moment of a lifetime! I had to go out with a bang. Pat was so gracious, his words comforting. "Don't be nervous, the hardest part is over," he whispered to me. As I stood there next to Pat, I absorbed those words and tuned out all the distractions. It paid off!

LOVE POEM! Before Vanna moved out of the way, I knew the answer. I calmly said, "Love poem," and prior to Pat's confirmation, I started running! I don't know why or where I thought I was going, my legs just needed to move. Then I realized I didn't know what I had won. Pat told me to get back over there and when he opened the prize envelope, it was $30,000 dollars. I won a total of $40,200!

After all of the celebrating, I had to talk to Pat and Vanna as the credits rolled. I told them the story of how I auditioned the day before I gave birth to our daughter and how I was in active labor. I told them both that I named our daughter Vanna Fortune. Their silence was golden! As I laughed aloud, I admitted the truth…the day after my audition I gave birth to nine pound Ellyse McKenzie!

And what will I do with my prize money you ask? Some will be donated to my church, a portion of it will be used for my MBA studies, and the rest will be put towards the purchase our first home. On behalf of my family and I, THANKS WHEEL OF FORTUNE FOR CHANGING OUR LIVES!



Posted on 08-10


We had just moved back to my hometown after being gone for 14 years. I was eight months pregnant with what seemed like a 60 pound baby. My husband and I saw a commercial on television announcing the arrival of the Wheelmobile the weekend of my due date. He suggested that I audition, and of course I nodded in agreement while thinking, DOES HE REALIZE I HAVE TO GIVE BIRTH!

The last day the Wheelmobile was in town, we decided to check it out. I was in labor, in pain, and just plain UNCOMFORTABLE! What did I have to lose? I needed to walk and just get out of the house. Everything I did hurt, so why not hurt doing something fun? At the least, I could say I tried… and nothing beats a failure but a try.

Well a week after the audition I received an email to come in for a second audition. That one was a little more intense than the first. Now our logic was being tested. After solving a series of puzzles and taking a written exam, we had to wait two weeks to see if we would actually get an invitation. I left the audition thinking there was no way I wasn't going to get picked! Two weeks and two days later, my invitation came in the mail.

It seemed like an eternity, but the call had finally come 6 months after receiving the letter. "We would like to have you on the show November 14th." I agreed, the call ended, and I immediately made all of my arrangements. For the next two weeks different scenarios ran through my mind. I spent two nights online playing Wheel of Fortune via the internet.

November 14th, also known as game day had come. I woke up that morning in amazement and awe. The day had finally arrived and I was all too ready to embrace everything it held.

I arrived at the studio with a number of other contestants. We introduced ourselves, told brief stories of how we all got there, and proceeded to the Studio. We were met by the nicest production assistants who explained, in great detail, the day's events. We were given 563,236 different instructions to remember throughout the day…ok maybe not that much, but a lot was being thrown at us.
And on top of all the directions being shouted at us, the wheel literally weighs a ton (if not more)!

The tapings began and I ended up being on the fifth show, so it was going to be a long day. After three tapings it was time for lunch. I was fasting so I couldn't eat what was provided. However, the production assistant was nice enough to get me a salad. I just thought that was the kindest thing. I am still so moved by that. Everyone was so gracious and enthusiastic. I was amazed at how badly they wanted everyone there to win big! It is an experience I will always remember.

Long story short, it was a wonderful experience. I knew I would win something, I just wasn't sure how much. If I had made it to this point, a place that many never get a chance to see, I knew Wheel of Fortune would change my life! And it did in more ways than one. Thank you to EVERYONE for being such gracious hosts!