Starr’s Mill Grad wins Showcase Showdown

By LINDSAY BIANCHI
lbianchi@the citizennews.com

“I felt like I was in a dream,” 18-year old Brittany Fletcher said when she recalled standing next to Bob Barker on the set of “The Price Is Right.”

Fortunately for Brittany, it wasn’t a dream. The Starr’s Mill High School senior managed to make it all the way to the Showcase Showdown and walked away the day’s big winner.

“I went crazy!” Fletcher admitted. She was the first contestant called, and after being outbid a couple times, came closest to a $600 chess table which got her up on stage.

“I asked to hug Bob.”

Maybe that helped reality to set in a little bit. Brittany guessed correctly on which prize, a sofa or an exercise bike, was worth $1,185.

She then showed her skill at spinning the Big Wheel. With another contestant holding on at 90 cents, Fletcher squeezed by at 95 cents. If only Brittany had followed her first instinct and bid $17,000 as she originally planned, she would have ended up with both showcases. Unfortunately, the audience booed her original answer, persuading her to bid lower. Still, when it was clear her opponent overbid, Brittany was home safe with $15,100 in prizes.

Her prizes included a kitchen set with an oven, refrigerator, and dishwasher; a dining set including a china cabinet complete with china, and a six day, six night trip for two to Belgium. Brittany also received $3,784 in cash bringing her grand prize total to $21,400.

Not too bad for an hours work.

Brittany was accompanied to the West Coast by her mother and her friends, Wren Gordon, Leah Barnett, Erica Allgood, Hannah Reed, Hannah Sargent, and Lindsay Johnson. The gaggle of graduates got to tour Warner Brothers Studios where they found themselves living their own version of “Friends” on the popular TV show set. They also got a peek at the latest Batmobile and did a little sightseeing. There were even a couple of brushes with fame in restaurants. The girls got to meet Master P.

Brittany will be attending Auburn University in the fall where she will study communications and broadcasting. She may have to find an extra big dorm room to fit in all her new furnishings. Her prizes are due by early September.