Warner Robins resident competes on Wheel of Fortune: ‘The sky’s the limit’

WARNER ROBINS — Sabrina Hall is a teacher at Lake Joy Primary School, a youth pastor, a small business owner, a doctorate student, and a dedicated wife and mother of three. She also had an unforgettable experience on “America’s Game.”

Hall, who has lived in Warner Robins for 13 years, recently competed on Wheel of Fortune.

Hall traveled to Los Angeles to film in August, but found out she was selected to play on another important day: her anniversary. She initially thought she hadn’t been chosen after her audition, but a text from a producer prompted her to check her emails.

She and her husband were both thrilled, she mentioned.

“I checked my spam folder and there was an email saying, ‘Congratulations, you’ve been chosen to be a contestant on Wheel of Fortune!’” she said. “When me and my husband went to dinner that night for our anniversary, we were like, ‘Oh, my gosh, we have more than one thing to celebrate.’”

As a longtime fan, Hall said stepping onto the stage was surreal. It was a moment she wished her late grandparents were there for.

“I’d been watching Wheel of Fortune since I’ve been little, with my grandma and my grandpa, while we’re eating dinner. To be there was unreal. Like, I wished my grandparents could see this,” she said.

The set was smaller than she expected, and the iconic wheel was fairly heavy, but meeting hosts Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White was amazing for Hall.

“She’s just as gorgeous as she is on TV,” she said.

While she was initially nervous, watching other tapings, spending time with the other contestants and the hosts’ personalities put her at ease. Hall said she did much better than she was expecting.

“Ryan is amazing, and his awesome personality made you feel really comfortable. You almost forget that the cameras are even there, and you’re really just focused. I was in a zone, focusing on the puzzles,” she said. “It was like I was at home. I would pretend like I’m at home and you focus on the puzzle, play the game like you do at home.”

Hall solved the first toss-up puzzle, the first round and the mystery round, winning over $11,000. 

The final spin was a nail-biter with $6,000 per consonant in play, leading to big winnings for the winning contestant. Hall said she knew the puzzle right before the contestant solved it.

Hall hoped and prayed for everything to work in her favor, and extended the sentiment to her fellow contestants.

“I literally prayed for everybody. I said, ‘I want everybody to do well and walk away with something.’ Different people go through different things in their lives, and this is a dream come true just being there. I just wanted it to be fun and a great experience to look back on for everyone,” she said.

Although Hall didn’t make it to the bonus round, she was among high winnings that night. Jodi Hope, who made it to the bonus round, racked up $75,000 in winnings, while John Meneghini won almost $15,000 in cash and prizes, including a trip to the Florida Keys.

“I’m glad that in my show we all went home with something. … it was great for everyone, and most importantly, we all had fun,” she said.

After returning home, she said her students were excited to find out she was on the show. Coworkers and community members recognized her from her appearance as well, and she said she was honored to represent the area on a national stage.

“it’s just really been great to be able to represent Warner Robins, represent Middle Georgia in such a great way and my school, to be able to highlight that, because I just love that place so much, and to represent my family in such a positive way and having fun,” she said.

This was Hall’s second attempt trying to get on the show. She said she would easily do it again if she could and encouraged others to follow their dreams.

“Just go for it, and if you don’t get it that time, dust yourself off and try again. Apply again, like I did. You never know what’s going to happen, and that goes for anything in life. I always tell people, ‘The sky’s the limit.’ Go ahead and do whatever it is that your heart is set out to do, and you just never know where God will take you,” she said.

See Hall’s episode of Wheel of Fortune streaming on Peacock and Hulu, available until Saturday, Oct. 25.

Find more information about the show on wheeloffortune.com.