Bronx public school teacher Jade Greene-Grant solved three puzzles to win over $84K in prize money, a car, and a trip on “Wheel of Fortune.” The Yonkers resident narrowly missed out on a million dollar payout. In May, she and her best friend and fellow pre-kindergarten teacher, Barbara Magnotta of White Plains, decided to try out for the long-running ABC hit show.
Unfortunately, Magnotta was the only one who initially got the call; however, after some consistent and insistent persuading on the part of Magnotta, the casting contact relented and allowed both to audition.
The pair of friends made it to the Brooklyn audition, and spent the day calling out letters for a ‘”Wheel of Fortune” timed-test.
Many were called, but only a few moved on, and Magnotta was not one of them. Still, when Greene-Grant was flown to California in July for the taping, she brought her friend along for the experience.
“Even though they chose her and not me, I couldn’t be happier,” Magnotta, godmother to Greene-Grant’s two children told The Journal News. “It was truly surreal and I am so proud of my best friend.”
Greene-Grant and Magnotta plan to publish a children’s book with the prize money.
“We wrote a series of books a few years ago geared toward the children we teach,” said Greene-Grant. “After so many years reading book after book, we kind of know what our students like and what is worth reading. We’ve used many nights and weekends researching publishing and illustrators, but no luck yet.”
The friends say had it not been for their students, they would have never met.
“Our lives are all about children. We never would’ve met if it weren’t for children,” said Magnotta.
The three puzzles Greene-Grant had to solve were Frozen Strawberry Margarita, Quick Quiz Question, and on the $1 million bonus round, Piano Music.
