A North Carolina educator recently delivered one of the most memorable moments of the season on Wheel of Fortune, earning a major win through quick thinking and steady composure. Cory Earp, a sixth-grade language arts teacher from Taylorsville, became the first contestant of the show’s 43rd season to claim the $100,000 top prize. Stepping away from his classroom routine and onto the brightly lit stage, Earp impressed both viewers and hosts with his sharp puzzle-solving abilities. Known among his students for his upbeat personality and signature tropical shirts, he brought that same energy to the iconic game show.
Competing alongside fellow educators Alesha Davis of Chicago and BB Fisher of Tempe, Earp faced strong competition throughout the night. The episode opened on a positive note for him as he secured both Toss-Up puzzles, giving him an early lead. While he briefly lost momentum after landing on a Bankrupt wedge, he quickly recovered, solving several puzzles with confidence. One of his early successes included correctly identifying “Gorgeous Gown and Golden Crown,” which added thousands to his total. Although Davis surged ahead during the Mystery and Prize rounds—earning travel rewards and school-related prizes—Earp stayed focused and waited for his opportunity to regain ground.
That opportunity arrived during the Triple Toss-Ups, where Earp demonstrated remarkable speed and accuracy, sweeping all three and collecting $10,000 in the process. His consistent performance in the later rounds allowed him to edge past his competitors by the end of regular play, finishing with $26,450 and advancing to the Bonus Round. Fisher, despite a strong showing, ended the night without cash winnings and received the show’s standard consolation prize. With the audience cheering and the pressure rising, Earp prepared for the final puzzle that would determine whether the night would become truly unforgettable.
For the Bonus Round, Earp chose the category “What Are You Wearing?” Joined on stage by his mother and best friend, he selected additional letters to accompany the standard set. When the puzzle board revealed “FAN_ _ BLA_ER,” he solved it almost instantly, confidently answering “Fancy Blazer.” Host Ryan Seacrest confirmed the correct response and then revealed the contents of the prize envelope: $100,000. The moment left Earp visibly stunned, pushing his total winnings to $126,450. Fellow host Vanna White looked on as he celebrated with his family, clearly overwhelmed by the outcome. Afterward, Earp shared that the experience still felt unreal, admitting it might not fully sink in until seeing the episode air. Fans online echoed the excitement, celebrating a big win and applauding a teacher whose calm focus and preparation paid off in a remarkable way.