Taunton Wheel of Fortune player wants to get a mini Highland cow and more with her winnings

Taunton resident Shawn O’Neill competed on Wheel of Fortune January 17, solving two puzzles and bringing home $5,000.

O'Neill had trouble with the wheel at the beginning of the show, landing on 'lose a turn' in the first puzzle and 'bankrupt' on her first spin in the third puzzle. She was able to add some letters to the board during the third puzzle, but ultimately another contestant solved it.

During the triple toss up quick rounds, O'Neill correctly identified the third phrase, 'Out to Lunch', winning $2,000.

O'Neill then had the first spin in the final puzzle, with the category 'what are you doing'. With the first spin, she bought a 'S' but there were none in the puzzle. The wheel however got back to her a couple of minutes later and she was able to solve the puzzle, 'Flying over the Pacific', winning $3,000.

"Despite the fact that you were a late starter, you won $5,000," host Pat Sajak said to O'Neill at the end of the show.

O'Neill, a college professor, applied to be on the show after hearing a fellow colleague's story of being on the game show and winning a cruise. She immediately applied to be on the show with the dream of spending her winnings on college expenses for her children and purchasing a mini Highland cow.

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O'Neill, a three time marathon runner, told host Pat Sajak at the start of the show that she loves animals and hopes to one day build a small farm.

"I love animals and over the years I have brought home cats, dogs, chickens and ducks," O'Neill said at the beginning of the show. Sajak joked that she was trying to turn her house into a farm, and O'Neill laughed, adding "and keep my husband at the same time."

O'Neill lives in Taunton with her husband Greg, of 21 years, and their three children. She is a former elementary school teacher and currently a college professor.

O'Neill remembers watching Wheel of Fortune with her grandmother as a young girl and always hoped someone would buy Sheldon the Dalmatian, a ceramic dog. At that time, contestants could buy items with their winnings.

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What is Wheel of Fortune

The game show, featuring host Pat Sajak and hostess and letter-turner Vanna White, first aired in 1975.

The game show features three contestants who try to solve a puzzle by spinning a wheel and guessing letters in a phrase. The contestant with the most money goes on to the bonus round at the end of the show, where they guess three consonants and one vowel, with the hopes of solving the final puzzle and winning a grand prize.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Taunton resident Shawn O'Neill was a contestant on Wheel of Fortune