'I just wanted to spin the wheel'

On Wednesday, tune into “Wheel of Fortune” to cheer on a Monee resident during “Great Escapes” week.

For those unfamiliar with the long-running, hangman-style game show, Harris will call out consonants and buy vowels as she attempts to solve the puzzles and win vacations, new cars and cash prizes, according to a news release from “Wheel of Fortune.”

Harris has dreamed of appearing on the show ever since she started watching at age 5.

“My mom was a single mom and worked a lot. I just picked it up with my siblings,” Harris said and then added why the show drew her in. “I just wanted to spin the wheel.”

A family tradition

Harris remained a fan of the show through the years but began watching again in earnest once she had children (Cordarro Jr., 13; Corion, 12; and Cayden, 4), who all watch with her.

She also “competes” at home with her husband Cordarro (Harris usually wins, she says, but “lately my husband has been getting better”) and competes as an in-home viewer with her SPIN ID.

A SPIN ID, according to the "Wheel of Fortune" website at wheeloffortune.com, gives  home viewers the opportunity to play the game and win prizes, too. SPIN ID stands for Special Prize Identification Number. Viewers receive one by joining the Wheel Watchers Club. Information for joining is on the website.

Harris said she’s never won with her SPIN ID. But she felt as if she hit the jackpot when, in September, she received an email stating that “Wheel of Fortune” was holding auditions in Chicago and inviting her to submit a video for the show’s consideration.

“It was basically an introduction to myself, telling them about who you were,” Harris said.

“It was real quick; I didn’t spend a lot of time on the video," she said. "To be honest, I hooked the thing up – I knew I didn’t have a lot of time before the kids got home – and I hurried up. It took less than 30 seconds, I believe.”

The beginning of a dream come true

In October, Harris received a second email, inviting her to the auditions in Chicago, where a screen and a small wheel were set up. There, an extremely nervous Harris told the panel about herself.

Harris is a registered nurse who will graduate from Governor’s State University this May with a master’s degree in nursing, with the goal of becoming a family nurse practitioner.

She is also a “foodie.”

“That means I like to go out and eat,” Harris said with a laugh. “When I hang out with my friends when I do get a little free time, they ask, ‘Where you want to go, Amanda?’ I always want to go and have dinner.”

With others in attendance, Harris played a sample round of "Wheel of Fortune" with other potential contestants and then played a series of written games. After that, about half the people were sent home with the message, ‘You may or may not get a call.”

Harris recalled thinking, “I made it to the second round. I might be OK.” She then played another round of the game with the remaining contestants and then was sent home after being told, “You may or may not get a call.”

Nevertheless, Harris checked her email every day. Two weeks later, she received the hoped-for email.

“I opened it and just screamed for, like, 20 minutes,” Harris said.

Then she went inside and told her husband.

The taping

In December, Harris flew to California with her mother to tape the show. The stage fright, once the lights and cameras were on her, was intense, Harris said.

Even asking Harris, “Why should the Joliet-area community tune into the 'Wheel of Fortune'” at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday on WLS (ABC 7) gave her stage fright, she said.

But Harris did have a ready answer.

“People should watch because I’m a little girl who always wanted to be on ‘Wheel of Fortune,’” Harris said. “I’m a working mom and a full-time student – I’m super busy – but somehow I found time to do that. And it was definitely a once in a lifetime experience and dream come true.”

IF YOU WATCH

WHAT: Amanda Harris' appearance on "Wheel of Fortune"

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday

WHERE: WLS (ABC 7)

ETC: Wheel Watchers Club members will want to pay specific attention to the Mystery Round. If the $10,000 Mystery Wedge is won by a contestant, then the SPIN ID of a loyal viewer at home will be revealed, giving them the chance to also win $10,000.

INFORMATION: Visit wheeloffortune.com