Fresno Teacher Celebrates Big Win on Wheel of Fortune

FRESNO, Calif. — Genna Root, a middle school teacher from Fresno, California, made a triumphant appearance on Wheel of Fortune, quickly solving the Bonus Round puzzle and securing a grand total of $91,096, including a trip to Antarctica.

On Friday, February 21, Root faced off against Roberta Brown, a senior with a passion for dance and musical theater, and Derek Spartz, a car enthusiast known for his car spotting hobby. The highly anticipated round provided excitement for both Root’s supporters and viewers alike.

During the Bonus Round, Root introduced her mother, Sharon, and her best friend, Suzanne, who watched proudly from the audience. When presented with the category, “What are you doing?” and receiving the letters “R, S, T, L, N, and E,” Root strategically guessed the letters “D, C, P, and O.” The puzzle revealed itself as “_CT_N_ ON _PULSE.”

With a burst of clarity, she shouted, “Acting on impulse,” before host Ryan Seacrest could even clock her time. Her correct answer not only brought cheers but also a surprising revelation: she won an additional $40,000, elevating her winnings to an impressive $91,096.

In the midst of the jubilant celebration, Root exuberantly screamed into Seacrest’s ear and engulfed him in a tight hug, prompting a smile from the host. “This show is fun,” Seacrest remarked as he joined in on the celebration with Root, her mother, and best friend, all jumping in excitement.

Seacrest’s lightheartedness was evident as he playfully kicked a leg out in joy, though he quickly winced in pain and cradled his knee. “Ow!” he exclaimed, only to bounce back and inform Root of her grand prize, the trip to Antarctica. Overwhelmed with disbelief, Root exclaimed, “Oh my gosh! I did?” before hugging Seacrest again and fanning herself in excitement.

The captivating moment of celebration was promptly shared on social media, where fans of Wheel of Fortune expressed their joy and observed notable changes in the show’s atmosphere during the Bonus Round compared to previous seasons. One viewer commented, “I love the jumping lol,” while another noted the contrast to past host Pat Sajak’s more reserved responses.

This spirited interaction wasn’t a first for Seacrest, as numerous contestants have previously gotten physical during their celebratory moments. Earlier this year, a contestant even caused Seacrest to lose his footing during a hug after solving a puzzle, leading to a humorous moment where he playfully distanced himself. “To all future contestants, please, if you win, pick me up, throw me over, tackle me, I’m totally fine with it,” he joked during an outro.

As Wheel of Fortune continues its journey with Seacrest at the helm, the evolution of contestant interaction remains a talking point among fans, with speculation around changes to the format of the Bonus Round prizes.