Olson Middle School principal Dr. William Campbell used his $63,000 “Wheel of Fortune” win—aired nationwide—to gather students for a watch party and remind them that taking chances can change what happens next.
When the episode of “Wheel of Fortune” aired nationwide, Dr. William Campbell knew it wasn’t only his spin that mattered. On Monday. days after his win went public. students at Olson Middle School in north Minneapolis gathered for a watch party—watching their principal’s moment on national television unfold again. together.
Campbell, the principal of Olson Middle School, won $63,000 on the game show. The prize became something students could point to in real time: a rare, upbeat spotlight on a school that usually gets attention for harder reasons.
“It meant more than the money,” Campbell said. “Eight to 10 million people heard Olson Middle School. home of the Panthers.” He added that school coverage often centers on “some of the unfortunate things that happen. ” which made this feel different. “So for me, as the principal papa, I am excited that our school gets some positive press.”.
Campbell said the show has been part of his life for years. He has watched “Wheel of Fortune” for most of his life, recorded an audition tape in his living room on New Year’s Day, and was later invited to California to tape the show.
For Campbell, the win also carried a personal ache. One person he wished could have seen the episode was his mother, who died last fall. “She would have been proud,” Campbell said. “She loves that show, and I’m sure she would have been excited to see her boy on TV.”
At Olson, the watch party turned into a lesson that went beyond the screen. Campbell used his own decision to try out for the game show as the point—taking chances, not just celebrating the outcome.
“I think the most important lesson is being risk takers,” Campbell said. “Being on Wheel of Fortune is a risk. Auditioning is a risk.”
He pressed the message even further, telling students he wanted it to stick after the confetti moment faded. “In life, you got to take risks and take chances because you will miss every shot you don’t take,” Campbell said.
Much of that prize money, Campbell said, will go toward retirement—an everyday plan for what happened on television. But for students in north Minneapolis on June 8. 2026. the takeaway was immediate: a school day that started with learning. and ended with the feeling that their principal had proven you can step forward—then bring others with you.
Wheel of Fortune Olson Middle School William Campbell north Minneapolis watch party $63 000 education