Imagine jotting down your New Year’s resolutions as you revel in the final moments of sitting by your Christmas tree, and you aim to check the boxes with ease; although, you still hope to enrich your life in a way that brings a sense of accomplishment when you mark each one as complete.
Marissa Rogers (B.A., ’14) imagined it – so much so, that she scribbled down, “apply as a contestant for Wheel of Fortune.” Little did she know, she would soon fulfill this promise to herself.
Since she was of elementary school age, Rogers was fascinated by game shows. Her favorite program was, and still is, Wheel of Fortune, and she found intrigue with the variety of puzzles, word challenges, and of course, Vanna White’s role in the phenomenon. One day, she had seen enough. On January 2, 2024, Rogers did what few, perhaps no, Colorado State University alumna has done before – she applied as a contestant for Wheel of Fortune.
Prior to her application, Rogers was hard at work in her position as the Engagement & Events Manager at Colorado State University, her alma mater. After initially attending the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, she soon realized the curriculum did not align with her interests. Rogers decided to transfer to CSU as a junior, where she could pursue her passions in both communication studies and theater. The community at CSU provided Rogers with the sense of belonging she had been missing. Rogers thrived, graduating in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and a minor in Political Science. Her education and enriching experiences as a Ram prepared Rogers for the next chapter of her life.
Rogers went on to spend time as an event manager, wedding coordinator, and corporate relations manager. While she loved the world of weddings, watching others tie the knot was no match for the extraordinary career that University Advancement at CSU offered her. A chance to immerse herself in the green and gold was the perfect place for Rogers to grow her professional roots. While her occupation differs from her childhood dream of becoming the next Vanna White, her path did indeed lead her back to the Wheel of Fortune.
Rogers enthusiastically submitted her 40-second video clip to Wheel of Fortune. She had hardly been able to check off the box on her list of resolutions when she received a call the following day from a California area code.
“Is it real? Is it spam? I never answer unknown numbers,” Rogers said, stating that it crossed her mind that the call could be fraudulent.
Seconds later, Rogers was on the phone, going through a quick, 5-minute interview. She was proud to discuss her role at CSU, and of course, pounced on the chance to brag about her husband and one-year-old daughter. To Rogers’ surprise, they asked her to join a Zoom interview the next day. The call included a mock game show incorporating timed puzzles, requiring Rogers to be quick on her toes.
“I didn’t think I would hear anything, I just thought it was a fun little saga of three days, and that was it,” Rogers stated.
Two weeks later, an email hit Rogers’ inbox with an offer to report to Sony Pictures Studios in Los Angeles, California, on February 1, 2024.
“I felt like I was in that Miley Cyrus song when I landed. I really did ‘hop off a plane at LAX,’ and I made sure to get a taxi specifically to follow the song,” she stated, relaying her excited series of emotions upon arrival.
Rogers settled in to her hotel, and filming was to begin the next morning at 6:15 a.m. Instead of sleeping, Rogers spent the night before the show studying Wheel of Fortune tips and tricks. Despite her nervous excitement, Rogers was determined to put her knowledge and childhood dream to the test.
Before she knew it, she was at Sony Pictures Studios, receiving a security brief. The morning flew by, as Rogers visited the holding stage, watched orientation videos, and signed contracts. Vanna White even gave the contestants an inspirational pep talk. The group then practiced spinning the wheel, which according to Rogers, is smaller in person.
“It was all so surreal. I was trying not to cry because of the make-up,” Rogers said.
When the cameras started rolling, Rogers approached her debut with strategy. Utilizing her communication studies background, Rogers had studied common letter patterns and the importance of buying vowels. Rogers also researched the show’s theme, National Parks, memorizing popular destinations, activities, and phrases. She set mini-goals for herself, such as solving at least one puzzle, winning a trip, and nailing the triple toss-up rounds. While the commercial breaks allowed her a chance to hydrate and touch up her makeup, Rogers remained focused and energetic, while disregarding her monetary earnings and overall score.
“It was the fastest thirty minutes of my life,” Rogers said, “I tried to stop and focus on each moment, but it was such a whirlwind, and so much fun.”
Rogers won her way into the bonus round. Once the phrase appeared, she once again enacted her strategies. The moment she figured out the first two words, she tried to call out letters that would fit.
“D. Once I saw the two D’s, I knew the end of the word was DDY. I thought it was MUDDY, which would have fit with the national parks theme. I got stuck on it being a U, and my mind just started guessing,” Rogers explained.
Time ran out, and the words flashed on the screen.
“GIDDY. My mind just never went there at the time, but now, I see it everywhere. It eats me up at night,” Rogers said, laughingly.
While she did not win the bonus round, Rogers went home with the winning sum of over $30,000, including an all-expense paid trip to Glacier National Park.
“Overall, it happened exactly the way it was meant to. If I had read another chapter in my book, would I have seen the word GIDDY, and had it be engrained in my memory? Maybe, but maybe not,” Rogers stated, reflecting on her final moments on the show.
When asked, Rogers relayed her advice for someone wanting to apply to Wheel of Fortune.
“Just apply. Make sure you have that energy. Stay positive and be in the moment. I would recommend the experience to anyone, and I am here to talk about strategy ahead of time.”
With winnings in hand, a future trip with her family on the horizon, and memories from Sony Pictures Studios that will last a lifetime, Rogers remains fervent to share her Wheel of Fortune triumph with the Rams community that supported her educational, professional, and personal journey. You could even go as far as saying that she is “giddy” at the opportunity to be an episode champion on the Wheel of Fortune.
