THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 20, 1995 TAG: 9501200071
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 105 lines
CLAYTON AND PEYTON spelled mannequin with a ``k'' instead of a ``q.''
Vanna White stood motionless - no letters to turn.
Kristi Mizelle of Suffolk, a 16-year-old Nansemond River High School junior, knew better.
She and her partner, Shauna Fitts of Littleton, N.C., completed the ``Wheel of Fortune'' phrase - ``department store mannequin'' beating their competitors, Clayton and Peyton.
The crowd - well, members of Girl Scout Troop 649 - went wild. The kids joined Kristi at East End Baptist Church in Suffolk to watch a tape of Monday's ``Wheel of Fortune,'' America's most popular game show.
One of their own was on - a contestant, a winner. She and Shauna return tonight to do battle with the other two top dollar winning teams from this week.
Will they win again? Tune in - WVEC-TV at 7 p.m.
Monday they won more than $34,000 and a trip to Disney World and the MGM studios in Florida.
``I'm saving for college,'' said Kristi, who lists her interests as science, engineering and math. She hopes to attend Xavier University in New Orleans to study molecular biology.
``Then I want to go to a medical school,'' she said. ``I'd like to be a researcher or have my own practice.''
A lot of practice was involved in getting on ``Wheel of Fortune,'' a lot of other quiz show wannabes shunted aside.
``I auditioned in Norfolk in April,'' said Kristi, whose father, lawyer Johnnie E. Mizelle, was mayor of Suffolk from 1988 to 1991. ``About 400 people showed up. Five teens and 20 adults were picked to appear at different times.
``There were written tests, puzzles to solve and mock ``Wheel of Fortune'' games,'' she said. ``Afterwards, they said they would call within the next two years.''
They called in November for a Dec. 18 taping.
Kristi, her mom, Gloria, and Shauna flew to Hollywood. The travel and all other expenses were out-of-pocket - Dad's.
Shauna got in on the act because this week is dubbed ``My Best Friend Week'' and those selected could bring anyone they chose.
``We've been best friends all our lives,'' said Kristi who met Shauna when she visited her grandmother in Littleton years ago.
``I used to watch `Wheel of Fortune' off and on,'' the 16-year-old said. ``After I was accepted, I watched it most of the time.''
Monday, watching quietly, not exhibiting much emotion, she saw herself losing the game's second puzzle.
Cut to commercial.
``Kristi,'' Dad said, ``you're behind.''
Not for long, though. She and Shauna figured out ``Fiesta, Cotton, Orange and Sugar.''
Good for a visit to the mouse and the lion - Disney World and MGM.
Later, a more difficult puzzle, ``geometric figures'' was figured out quickly for still more money and victory over the other contestants.
That put Kristi and Shauna in the final round, which pits the girls against time. The girls won - spelling ``index.''
In that round the contestants are given the letters used most often in the American language - R, S, T, L, N, E. Kristi and Shauna picked three more consonants and one vowel.
If they fit with the more common letters, the girls have a better chance to win. They fit.
Mom rushes onstage. There are hugs, shouts of joy.
Meanwhile, back at the church watching the rerun, there's Dad - wiping the sweat from his brow. He knew the outcome, of course, but it's like seeing a Hitchcock movie the second or third time. You still chew your nails.
``After the taping, they called me - about 1 in the morning,'' Johnnie Mizelle said. ``There was so much shouting, I didn't know what was going on.''
Doing well is family tradition.
Kristi, the middle of three girls, is a member of the Beta Club, vice-president of the Student Council Association, a member of Co-Ed Hi-Y and a peer facilitator, a field hockey player and president of the youth council at church.
What's keeping her occupied this week is, of course, ``Wheel of Fortune.'' Tonight, the Mizelle family will watch it at home.
Kristi calls host Pat Sajak and wheel-spinning Vanna White ``very nice people. We never talked to them till after the show.
``The set,'' she said, ``is really a lot smaller than it appears on television.''
Her winnings were larger than she had anticipated, but she had anticipated winning.
``I never doubted we'd win,'' Kristi said.
They won more than $34,000, the trip to Disney World, MGM and, for Kristi, an added attraction.
Tonya Wilson, a shy scout, gave Kristi a cute, ragged little bear, signed by everyone who watched Monday's ``Wheel of Fortune'' at East End Baptist Church.
It is a reminder of victory - and friendship. ILLUSTRATION: MICHAEL KESTNER/Staff color photos
Nansemond River junior Kristi Mizelle, center, gathered with friends
at East End Baptist Church in Suffolk to watch her turn on ``Wheel
of Fortune.''
Kristi Mizelle, left, and best pal Shauna Fitts of Littleton, N.C.
as they competed on Monday's ``Wheel of Fortune.''<
by CNB