It was 8:21 a.m. on April 11th. A white Ford Explorer traveled across Iowa headed for Omaha’s Westin Aquila Hotel. Despite the plentiful scenery across the good ole’ corn state, two Iowa State students played a childhood word-guessing game to brush up on their language skills before the big audition for one of America’s favorite game shows: “Wheel of Fortune.”

Upon entering the lush hotel in the heart of Omaha, everyone in the room was given a questionnaire as the anxious pre-selected auditioners gazed at the big wheel in front of the room. The “Wheel of Fortune” organizers were wearing their biggest and brightest smiles as they took down everyone’s first names and last initial so the games could begin. A video collage was shown to get everyone in the mood to “play some wheel.”

To get a first impression of the auditioners, a preliminary first round was played. It consisted of all 60-some college students taking guesses at the puzzle, “Wheel of Fortune” style.

The organizers talked to the hopeful auditioners about how they look for energy, loud voices and ultimately game playing skills. One cru cial thing was not to hesitate when deciding if one should spin the wheel or buy a vowel. They wanted to see if the auditioners could keep the game moving for a future television show because viewers at home will change channels if there is hesitation among the players.

In the excitement of the game, I guessed a letter that had already been chosen, so I lost my turn, but at least I didn’t go bankrupt.

“Playing the game was exciting, yet nerve wracking, because everyone else was going for the same thing — to be chosen,” said Gwendolyn Lukas, a senior in English, who tried out for a spot on the show.

The experience of playing the game live was thrilling; however, all of the rules of the game tended to fly right out of our heads. Clapping was encouraged to show support for our fellow wheel spinners, but after a while our hands grew numb after clapping for every contestant’s correct letter.

The atmosphere was in comparison to an infomercial on late-night television where one would see people wearing their plastic smiles and showing their best stuff. I kept expecting Dionne Warwick to pop out.

The next level dealt with a written quiz. The quiz consisted of 16 word puzzles that were to be solved in five minutes on paper. Some of the letters were already filled in, and the categories were like those used on the show. The bell went off and our “I tried out for Wheel of Fortune” mini pencils were forced down.

Some of the puzzles were extremely easy such as a phrase like “HAVE A HEART,” but because of the mere fact it was on paper, it was more difficult to figure the puzzles out. Having a time limit also felt very constraining.

While our written tests were being tallied and our questionnaires were evaluated, there was a drawing for prizes (I won a key chain). In addition to this excitement, a question session was held where the auditioners had the chance to ask any question they wanted. The questions ranged from how much money Vanna and Pat make to “Does ‘Wheel of Fortune’ have a web site?”

The final moment came when they announced who would make it to the final round of the auditions for a chance to make it on the “real” show. Well, let’s just say that those two (including J. Ranae) will not be representing ISU any time soon on “College Wheel of Fortune.”

“The experience was sort of cheesy, but definitely not a bad way of spending my Thursday,” Lukas said. “At least I didn’t go home empty-handed. I had the pleasure of taking home my very own, ‘I tried out for Wheel of Fortune’ mini pencil.”

As the door closed, the final round began. Perhaps one of the hopes and dreams of someone in that room will come true.

Oh well, we tried and it was fun. And there’s always “College Jeopardy!”