Introduction to the Story
Lincoln Park High School Principal Eric Steinmiller deleted the first two emails he got from “Wheel of Fortune” because he thought they were spam. Being on the long-running television game show had never been on his radar.
The Decision to Appear on the Show
The third email convinced him the offer to hop on a flight to Los Angeles and appear in an episode of the show was real. So he decided to go for it, although he insisted his decision wasn’t fueled by the desire to earn some cash or to meet Ryan Seacrest, the host of the show, in person. “It was to represent Lincoln Park High School,” Steinmiller said.
Watch Party at the School
Lincoln Park High School Principal Eric Steinmiller was one of three contestants on “Wheel of Fortune” on Thursday evening. To celebrate the occasion, he organized a watch party in the auditorium of his North Side high school, with about two dozen students, parents and teachers in attendance. Before the start of the show, some students gave their principal fist bumps, while others asked if they would be getting scholarships if he lucked out.
Students’ Expectations
Lincoln Park High School student Harmony Brooks watched her principal’s appearance on “Wheel of Fortune” at a Thursday evening watch party at the school. She was sure he would win more than $20,000. Her friend Neaylah Smith agreed. “I got faith in him,” Neaylah said.
The Game Show Experience
But Steinmiller walked away with only $2,000 in his pocket. Sitting in the auditorium, he laughed as he watched himself struggle to guess the right letters on screen as his two opponents scored big by figuring out unexpected phrases like “photo finish your vegetables.” Steinmiller said he was focused at the time on getting momentum on his wheel spins, which he practiced ahead of filming. “Maybe I was too focused on getting
