Tommy Romeo of Walden won big during the ‘Wheel of Fortune’ episode that aired Thursday. He took home a 2020 Volkswagen Golf GTI. His cash and prizes totaled $47,185, including the new car and a trip to Belize.

Romeo is a professional poker player and a substitute teacher with a bachelor’s degree in teaching physical education and health. He enjoys traveling, watching sports and game shows and gambling. Romeo has been tuning into ‘Wheel of Fortune’ for about 20 years. He got to be a contestant on the show by applying and submitting a video through wheeloffortune.com in hopes of winning a car.

Romeo competed during the third week of shows that co-host Vanna White stepped in as host at the iconic wheel while Pat Sajak recovered from abdominal surgery. Romeo and the other contestants got to spin the wheel and solve hangman-style puzzles to win once-in-a-lifetime weekend getaways, new cars and cash prizes. Romeo was overjoyed when he earned his prizes, especially the car.

“My main goal was to win a car, so it’s unbelievable that that happened,” he said.

Romeo is also excited for his trip to Belize. He plans to go there with his best friend within the next year. Romeo is still deciding on a date for the trip.