A cafeteria worker from Long Island recently scored a significant win on “Wheel of Fortune,” bringing home a remarkable total of $65,000 in prizes, which included a brand-new Toyota truck, a week-long vacation in a tropical paradise, and a year’s worth of sweet treats.
Katie McCann, a single mother, was the standout winner of a food-themed episode dubbed “Living the Sweet Life” aired Tuesday night. She attests that her experience as the lead service worker at St. James Elementary School gave her a unique advantage during the game.
“It definitely helped me, that’s for sure,” McCann beamed in an interview with The Post.
The 37-year-old contestant successfully solved an impressive six puzzles with phrases like “one smart cookie” and “pour some sugar on me,” raking in an astonishing $65,253 in total cash and prizes.
Along with a 2025 Toyota Tacoma SR5, she won a week-long trip to St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, a year’s worth of confections from Dylan’s Candy Bar, and a cash prize of $13,200.
“You can see my expression—I’m just in disbelief every time I win something. Like Ryan Seacrest noted, I don’t have a good poker face at all,” McCann shared, admitting she “blacked out” during the filming and struggled to recall many moments of the taping and calling out her answers.
However, one challenging aspect stood out for her—the physical act of spinning the wheel.
“I’m quite petite—someone had to help lift me up behind the podium just to reach above it, and that wheel is really heavy,” explained McCann, who relocated to Hauppauge from Queens four years ago.
Circle of Life
A devoted fan of “Wheel of Fortune” since her childhood, McCann attributes part of her spelling prowess to the show.
In 2023, fate intervened when she saw a commercial inviting contestants for her favorite game, leading to her selection after the network executives were charmed by her lively personality, although she couldn’t make it to Los Angeles for the taping at the time.
“I had to pass on it, but they expressed their desire to have me and included me in a list of potential contestants,” said McCann.
When she received a call last spring, she was ready and eager to participate this time.
“I immediately said yes. I couldn’t turn it down again,” she declared.
Maintaining secrecy about her winnings for months leading up to the episode airing posed another challenge for McCann, who loves her job and interacting with her young patrons.
Once the episode aired, the school community offered overwhelming support, with students creating congratulatory drawings displayed at her workstation.
“The kids have been so sweet, even the quieter ones have come up to me,” McCann remarked.
“The students are incredibly happy for me, which is wonderful.”
Her 3-year-old daughter, Brodie, even chimed in with, “Mommy, you’re a movie star!”
McCann, who has yet to travel abroad extensively, is especially looking forward to the “sunshine on my face,” a phrase that secured her trip victory.
She’s also anticipating the arrival of her new pickup truck just as her Jeep Wrangler lease concludes.
“It’s been nothing short of a dream come true,” McCann reflected.
