A large room went alive with booming applause and excited screams and squeals.
A man took off running circles around the eager crowd, encouraging the men and women to get loud and crazy before the cameras went live.
Although no one could hear what name was announced, a cue card held up the winning contestant who then jumped out of her seat and ran down to the podium.
Two Cal State Fullerton students, Lauren Vanderhorst, 23, and Nadine Henricks, 24, were given the opportunity to win big on The Price is Right, the world’s longest-running game show on TV.
Although others have endured long hours just to see their name on a cue card, few actually find their way down to the podium.
Vanderhorst, a student in the teaching credential program, whose airdate is set for today, was one of those girls who grew up in a household where The Price is Right was on television every morning.
“It’s been my dream to be on the show. I’ve been obsessed with it since I was a little kid,” said Vanderhorst.
She had already made her bucket list, and her number one wish was to someday become a contestant for the game show.
She never guessed it would be one of the first to be accomplished so early on in life.
It was June 19, Vanderhorst’s birthday was coming up and she couldn’t think of any better way to spend it than waiting in line to attend a taping of the show in Hollywood.
The show is free to attend, but the only catch is waiting in a single-file line to get in.
“It’s super easy to go. It’s just a long day and a long process,” she said.
However, Vanderhorst knew that if she could manage to get a large group to go, the show would allow for a reservation in order to cut waiting time.
So with that, she managed to gather a large enough group and proceeded to make her dreams come true.
Although Vanderhorst was somewhat prepared because of her slight obsession, another contestant, Henricks, an art major, whose airdate is set for Friday, was far from it and describes her experience as somewhat comical.
Like Vanderhorst, Henricks was part of a large group from work that decided to take a couple days (the group had to be split in two) to attend the show.
While many of her coworkers were up late studying and observing re-runs, Henricks decided to go to bed early without any worries about the game show.
“I was the one who was sitting there and was like, I have to get up early. I’m going to sleep,” said Henricks.
She had never imagined that out of everyone in her group, including those who took it most seriously, her name would be the one to appear on the cue card.
She describes her moments on national television as awkward and nerve wracking.
When it came to spinning the wheel, she said she got booed because she couldn’t get the wheel all the way around the first time.
“It’s a really heavy wheel,” Henricks said.
She said that the show was much different than what you see on television and there’s a lot that goes on behind-the-scenes.
“The producer actually pulled me aside and told me I looked like I was going to pass out,” Henricks said with a laugh.
Courtney Smith, a public relations representative for the show, encourages other students to test their luck as well.
“The Price is Right is very popular with college students and we always welcome student groups to come to the studio,” said Smith.
Contestants can win anything from laptops to cooking utensils to an all-expense paid vacation, which Smith considers ideal gifts for any college student.
As for the prizes won by Vanderhorst and Henricks, students will have to tune in this week to The Price is Right to discover what each contestant walked away with.
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