Andrew Drake didn’t win the trip to Hawaii when he appeared on Wheel of Fortune, but he did enjoy the experience and earned some cash prizes. 

He shared his experience on the game show at the Feb. 22 Waunakee Rotary meeting. 

The Oregon, Wisconsin, cybersecurity specialist has always watched Wheel of Fortune with his wife and three children, and grew up watching the show. In January of 2021, he made a video to audition for it, and two years later, he was picked. 

Initially, he and four other people were virtual contestants. They included a mother from Minneapolis, an opera singer from New York, a California businessman and a college student from Oklahoma. Andrew said he didn’t think he’d get selected, but he soon received an email inviting him to appear in 10 days. 

Wheel of Fortune tapes six episodes in a day, he said. He knew it would be Hawaii week on the show, so he practiced with that in mind. 

The contestants arrive on the set at 7:30 a.m. and get to meet each other. They receive a number of legal briefs and documents to sign, then they draw straws for the position. Andrew was first. 

It would be the first time he had ever worn make-up. He learned a lot about the inner workings of the show, like the contestants get to see which letters have been guessed. 

“The most interesting thing for me was how many people are involved,” he said, describing dozens of people running around helping. 

Also, the wheel is smaller than it looks, but it is heavy and easy to smack your hand on. 

Andrew said he needed constant reminders to smile. He solved six of the nine puzzles and won $12,000 and a $1,000 Maui Jim gift card for sunglasses 

After paying the 40% tax, he received about $6,000.

Though the show was taped on Jan. 26, 2023, it didn’t air until March, and contestants were sworn to secrecy. If they leaked any spoilers, their prizes would be taken away, he said. 

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Other News: 

-Bob Klostermann is planning an outing to the new Madison Youth Symphony Orchestra building on East Washington Avenue. Let him know if you’d like to go. 

-Megs Lunn, who is the District 6250 administrator, visited the club. Megs is from the Philippines. She is excited about the TriCon on April 18. More folks are needed to join the friendship exchange in the Philippines, Megs said. The club is working on a renovation project to a community center where women could learn dressmaking. 

-Carol Bleifield said the club has requested an exchange student next year. If you know anyone who would like to be part of this, let her know. 

Guests: Todd Schmidt’s mom and mom-in-law.

Visiting Rotarians: Meg Lunn and Michelle McGrath

Birthdays: None.

Anniversaries: None.

Greeters: Feb. 29 Jean Elvekrog and Roberta Baumann; March 7, Sally Gile and Ken Ballweg; March 14, Tom Kennedy and Ross Mauer; March 21, ??? 

 To sign up to greet or to find out if you are greeting, visit: 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805054CAAAA2CA7F85-44320149-2023#/