Curiosity led Mary Katherine Smith to the opportunity of a lifetime - the chance to spin that famous wheel.
Smith, a journalism junior, will be featured on an episode of "Wheel of Fortune" airing Friday.
While studying abroad in China in fall 2007, Smith said she watched the game show often because there wasn't much else on TV.
"My friends and I sat there watching and wondered how people really got on the show," she said.
Smith said she searched the show's Web site out of curiosity and boredom and filled out an application for information about auditions.
"Since I'm in journalism, I figured I'm pretty good with words," she said.
The auditioning process was a whirlwind of activity, she said. Sixty people in the auditioning room were lined up to practice simulation puzzles, which Smith said was probably to test the stage presence of those auditioning.
Two weeks later, she received a letter to be on the show. She spent a weekend in Los Angeles with her family as the show taped six episodes on March 28.
She said she was nervous as she watched the other shows but relaxed when it was her turn.
"I was a lot more composed than I thought I was going to be," she said.
The biggest obstacles for Smith were the toss-up puzzles, when random letters pop up on the screens and any contestant can solve the puzzle at any time.
"When it was my turn on the normal puzzles, there was a slower pace," she said. "I didn't have to be as quick on my feet."
Smith said it was easier playing the game on stage than watching it on TV. On stage, the audience vanished from mind and total focus was on the puzzle, she said.
Although she can't reveal too many details about the outcome of the show, Smith said she walked away with more money than when she started.
Smith plans to watch the show Friday at The Swamp Restaurant with friends. The show airs at 7 p.m. on CBS.
