Haddam mom hits it big on Wheel of Fortune with $86K, car, trip to Italy Persistant Wheel of Fortune contestant wins $86K, car, trip to Italy

The Haddam mom of three enjoys her big television moment while competing on Wheel of Fortune. The Haddam mom of three enjoys her big television moment while competing on Wheel of Fortune. Photo: Courtesy Wheel Of Fortune Photo: Courtesy Wheel Of Fortune Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close Haddam mom hits it big on Wheel of Fortune with $86K, car, trip to Italy 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

HADDAM >> Cheering family and friends filled Haddam Pizza on Monday to watch resident Shannon Buganski clean up on the popular Wheel of Fortune game show.

Appearing on a Los Angeles stage last March to tape the episode for “Big Money” week, Buganski since has been mum about the final results until after the episode aired.

The stay-at-home mom walked away with cash and prizes worth $86,368 — including a car and a trip to Italy.

A fan of the show practically since she started reading, Buganski remained a loyal fan her whole life, she said. It was her gateway into a love of crossword puzzles, also high on her list to fill free time.

Hearing in 2013 that the show’s “Wheelmobile” would be in Providence, Rhode Island, Buganski decided to gamble in the “crapshoot” opportunity.

She jokes heartily about “dragging” her mother, Donna Morrison, along for the ride.

A few months later, in January 2014, Buganski got an email invitation for a private show audition in Providence. Again, she and her mom made the trip, eventually meeting 70 other potential contestants on stage.

“They told us expect a letter in two weeks, and it never came,” said Buganski, who figured her “chance was over and that was it.”

Out of the blue one year later, the show again invited her to audition, this time in Los Angeles.

“For third time, I dragged my mom,” said Buganski, teasingly. “And I let her pay for it.”

This time, after passing tests, Buganski made the cut.

During taping, Buganski “didn’t relax at all, I was completely nervous,” she said. “I became more and more nervous as it went on.”

Complementing a “great team” of people from the show, Buganski also made new friendships with other contestants whose shows also air this week.

Her family is thrilled, including husband Bill Buganski and their three kids, ages 18, 14 and 10.

“The whole experience was incredible,” said Buganski, who will consider a few remodeling projects at home after buying a “few nice things” for herself, a rare treat.

The Ford Fiesta came just at the right time too.

“I’ve been needing new tires for awhile,” Buganski said. “But I’ll trade that in for a new car.”