Richards Teacher on 'Wheel of Fortune' Wins Prizes, Cash, Viral Video

Kelly Vandermeer, a Richards High School special education teacher, left “Wheel of Fortune” with $12,550 cash, a trip to Aruba and a viral video of her solving one of the puzzles.

Just Googling “the pointed desert” yields pages of results from Vandermeer’s “Wheel of Fortune” appearance on Jan. 23, many poking fun at the expense of her competition, who couldn’t quite let go of his answer.

(Vandermeer is the contestant in blue on the left)

Vandermeer said her work as a teacher helped her keep cool under pressure. Experience speaking loudly and clearly in the classroom held the nerves at bay when it was her turn to solve “The Painted Desert” puzzle and the others that contributed to her big win.

The prize money and vacation package couldn’t have come at a better time for Vandermeer, who is getting married in July. The trip to Aruba will make for a lovely honeymoon vacation.

This wasn’t Vandermeer’s first time on a game show, and it probably won’t be her last. After competing on Family Feud three years ago, she added “be on four game shows” to her bucket list.

So when she heard “Wheel of Fortune” was casting in Chicago, Vandermeer submitted an audition video. She was called in for a live audition, and she passed three cuts to make it on the show.

“Half of the audition process was smiling and being bubbly and loud,” Vandermeer said. “And for my students to pay attention to me, I have to do that all the time.”

Her students and fellow teachers have shown excitement and support for her television appearance, and she said kids came running into school Monday asking if they can go to Aruba with her.

“You realize how easy it is to be on a game show and how fun it is,” Vandermeer said. “I don’t know what the next one will be. We’ll have to wait and see.”

Vandermeer said she isn’t sure when or if the episode will rerun. But at least one small, funny clip of her experience has been preserved on the Internet.

Photo provided by Kelly Vandermeer.

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