GLENVILLE – A Glenville State College alumna won big on a recent episode of Wheel of Fortune.

Amy Perkins, a Special Education teacher at Flatwoods Elementary School, graduated from GSC in 2005 with a degree in Elementary Education.

Perkins grew up watching the Wheel of Fortune with her family, so when the Wheelmobile came to the Mardi Gras Casino and Resort in Nitro, West Virginia, she knew she had to audition. Perkins had auditioned previously but did not advance in the casting process. 

The iconic show, which received over a million applications last year, is highly competitive and looks for applicants who are enthusiastic and logical thinkers. Of the million applicants last year, less than 600 were chosen to be on the show.

Nearly two weeks after auditioning, Perkins finally received her letter. She had been chosen as a contestant and would be flown out to California for filming in December.

While on the show, Perkins beat out her two competitors and continued to the bonus round. While she did not win the bonus round, she walked away with a whopping $17,150 in winnings.

“It was such an amazing experience,” said Perkins. “I don’t even know how to explain it.”

When the show aired on television in late January, Perkins had a watch party with family and friends. She recalls it feeling as if she was seeing the episode for the first time, despite having solved the puzzles as a contestant. While this was a dream come true for Perkins, she hopes that her experience also serves as an inspiration to her students.

“I want them to know that anything they want to do, they can do,” she said.

Photo credit: Carol Kaelson, Wheel of Fortune photographer