The excitement was non-stop Friday when the entire Prospect School student body gathered in the gym for a tradition that’s been going on for at least 20 years.
Offered during the final days of the school year by the Parent-Teacher Organization, Wheel of Wisdom gives students, and in the final round, teachers, the opportunity to test their knowledge in a game similar to “Wheel of Fortune.”
“It’s one of the few opportunities we have to come together a whole school and cheer each other on, and it uses academics, pop culture and fine arts,” said Mandy Wichman, a third-grade teacher.
Random students are selected at various points to participate, but it’s the fifth-graders for whom the spotlight shines, as they are the focus of the competition.
“The kids really look forward to it,” said Angie Sartori, chair of the PTO’s assemblies committee. “It’s a combination of fun and knowledge, and the kids get a kick out of answering the questions and they like to compete. It’s a friendly competition.”
More Top Picks Chromecasts
Prospect fifth-graders Joe Pisani and Johnny Horton both took part.
“It was really exciting because I’ve never been able to get close like this before,” Joe said. “It’s much more fun this way.”
Johnny said he has raised his hand in previous years in hopes of getting chosen to play the game.
“I never got picked before, and this was really fun,” he said. “It was even better than I thought it would be. It was getting to play with my friends, too.”
As a third-grader, Anna Ursillo has a two-year wait until she’s a fifth-grader. But she’s already looking forward to the opportunity to be a major part of the game.
“It’s super fun, especially to do it with your friends,” she said. “I know you will get a lot of satisfaction out of answering the questions.”
