Melanie Bowen, a Royersford resident and history teacher at Spring-Ford High School, won $63,644 in cash and prizes on the Wheel of Fortune, writes Eric Devlin of the Pottstown Mercury.

Bowen’s episode – during which she walked away with more than $44,000 in cash, an all-expense-paid trip to the Dominican Republic, $1,000 in spending money for the trip, and a 2016 Ford Fiesta – aired last Wednesday night.

It was taped a few weeks before, however, and she was sworn to secrecy about the outcome.

According to Devlin, Bowen and her husband couldn’t tell a soul about what happened during the taping that occurred in Culver City, Calif. Bowen’s episode was the third day of the show’s “Philly Week” featuring all contestants from the Greater Philadelphia area.

“It was a dream come true,” the 43-year-old told Devlin. “It was really challenging to keep secret.”

The episode featured plenty of drama for those on Team Bowen watching, as she struggled to get going early in the game. With about 150 friends and family members packed in tightly at Champs sports bar in Collegeville for a viewing party, Bowen said she remembered seeing a few worried faces starting to look her way.

“In the beginning it was not coming to me as quickly as on the couch at home,” she told Devlin. “I had a hard time with the ‘toss up’ (puzzle).”

The wheel eventually started to spin in her favor. She was winning puzzles and ended up doing well enough to head to the final bonus round.

According to Devlin, Bowen’s phone has been blowing up with hundreds of people sending their congratulations. An overwhelmed Bowen said she hasn’t been able to wipe the smile off her face and thinks it will take a month to thank all the well-wishers.

The Bowens are planning to use some of the money Melanie won to surprise their four-year-old daughter, Josie, with a trip to Orlando.

Click here to read more about Melanie Bowen in the Pottstown Mercury.