COVER STORY

WWW.OBUSIGNAL.COM | PAGE 3 Spakes wins big on “Wheel of Fortune”

BY CAMRYN MANNING

Staff Writer

On Tuesday, Nov. 22, Sarah Spakes, a senior political science major from Benton, Ark., made national television on the popular game show “Wheel of Fortune” as part of the show’s College Week. Quick to hit the buzzer and solve the puzzle, Spakes left with $21,000 and a trip to Barbados. She commented that the whole experience “felt surreal, like a literal dream come true.”

A family tradition, Spakes grew up watching “Wheel of Fortune.” Her family would routinely watch the game show at the dinner table or while cleaning up after dinner, and Spakes always solved the puzzle the fastest.

Spakes said, “My family was always saying I should try out for ‘Wheel of Fortune,’ and I would tell them, ‘yeah, right.’” She added, “But, last Christmas break I was home and there was a commercial on the show advertising a video audition, and I went for it. And so I submitted a video to their website.”

The video was a challenge for Spakes. “As many people know, I’m not a naturally bubbly person, but I had to turn it on for this video,” Spakes said. “I told them my major, classification, fun fact of my interning at Arkansas’ governor’s mansion over the summer, what made me a good candidate to spin the wheel and why I wanted to be there.”

Her video caught the attention of the judges, and a Zoom audition was scheduled in June. “It was different being in an audition since I’m more used to interviews,” Spakes said.

She was told that if she hadn’t heard in the next month to try again next year. July passed with no word, so Spakes thought she didn’t make it. In early August, she received an email with word that she made the show. She was asked to fly out to Los Angeles on Aug. 26 and to make the decision in the next 24 hours. The first week of school was the date of filming, but Spakes’ professors were understanding and supported the exciting opportunity.

At 6:30 a.m. on Aug. 26, contestants made their way to the set and spent the morning learning the rules of “Wheel of Fortune” and being coached by the show’s team. The contestants also got to know one another during this time and became quick friends.

“We thought it would be a great idea to get each other’s Instagrams, and it just went from there,” Spakes said. “We made a group chat that we still talk on pretty regularly, and I think it’s cool to know people from different schools all over the nation.” The contestants practiced enunciating letters and spinning the wheel, and they also learned helpful tips from the coordinators. Spakes shared some advice that was given, such as buying vowels, since “with only five, you have a better chance of getting one right.” Spakes admitted that she didn’t follow the tips as closely at showtime. “I wanted to spin the wheel a lot,” Spakes said. “It’s not every day you get to do that, you know?”

Contestants were seated in the audience for all filmings, even the shows they weren’t a part of. Spakes got to watch her fellow contestants on other episodes being filmed, and her group was filmed second.

Because of the filming atmosphere and the friendliness of participants on the show, she commented that it felt more like a family game night than a competition. However, the show still possessed the wow factor she had dreamt of from a young age. When she won, she felt like it wasn’t real.

“I was still in shock that I was even there and that it was happening,” Spakes said. “It was a fog, like in a cloud. I’m being herded to the little wheel and being told what to do, with the lights and sounds and everyone clapping, so I was a little overwhelmed but just had to focus on the board.”

The question remains of what Spakes will do with her winnings. First, she said, taxes had to be taken care of, but with the money left remaining, she hopes to invest in a love of hers: an automatic watch. “My dad likes watches, and he’s passed that interest down to me,” Spakes said. “I’d like to get an automatic watch that winds itself whenever you move your wrist, so you don’t have to put batteries in it. It’s very cool.”

She is also contemplating a road trip but knows the importance of saving as she nears graduation in May. Even so, Spakes plans to celebrate her diploma by taking her trip to Barbados.

“I’m most looking forward to seeing the clear-blue waters of the Caribbean,” Spakes said. “I’ve never been to that area, and the pictures just don’t look real. I can’t wait to see it in person.”

The once-in-a-lifetime experience of winning “Wheel of Fortune” has been incredibly impactful on Spakes. She’s seen support from family, who threw a watch party on the night of airing, and from her friends, who have been alongside her the whole way.

“If there was one piece of advice I’d give to someone looking to try out, I’d say to go for it. I didn’t know I had any shot at all of getting on the show, but here I am. I mean, I go to a small school in Arkansas, and I was up there representing Ouachita with all the big public universities, so you never know what’s going to happen.”

Sarah Spakes, senior political science major from Benton, Ark., shows off the name tag she wore on “Wheel of Fortune.” Spakes competed on the show’s College Week on Nov. 22, and won $21,000 and a trip to Barbados. (photo by Levi Dade)