Mason Leech, a senior communications major at Kentucky Wesleyan College, appeared on the College Week edition of The Price is Right recently — making it all the way to the final showcase. The Las Vegas native, who chose KWC through a scholarship from the Rogers Foundation, gave a shout out to Owensboro, a place that he says feels like home.
The show aired March 15, and can be watched here.
“I had no prior connection to Owensboro. The Rogers Foundation works hand in hand with KWC to offer full scholarships to students from Las Vegas who come here,” Leech said. “I had a few people from my high school come here, too.”
Owensboro quickly became home to Leech, and after 4 years here he said the power of community is what sets the city apart from other places.
When Leech’s mom encouraged him to apply for a game show, he never knew how the pieces would all come together to create an experience that he will never forget.
“I was home for winter break and my mom had been talking to me for a while about applying for a game show,” Leech said. “We were watching The Price is Right one day when she suggested I send in an application.”
An online application led to a Zoom interview and eventually the invite to Los Angeles to be part of the show. The audience was made up of college students, and Leech’s freshman brother Easton, an exercise science major, got the opportunity to join him.
From the start of the interviews, the producers encouraged high energy from the applicants — and that’s just what Leech gave them.
“I gave all the energy I could during that Zoom call. Shortly after, I got an email saying which show I’d get to attend, but this still didn’t guarantee I’d be on the stage,” he said.
Leech did get called, and after winning the bid on a shave set valued at $800, he made it to the big stage.
“Nothing is pre-set. It was exactly how you would see it on TV. I was called up as the second contestant of the show, but I spent four different turns not winning the bid to get up on the stage. I basically watched the entire thing from up there. It was very nerve wracking. I finally made it second to last,” Leech said.
During the final showcase, Leech got to bid on a desktop computer, a Ralph Lauren designer wardrobe, and a 2023 Mazda SUV. Ultimately, he did not win the final showcase, but Leech is still thankful to have made it that far on behalf of his school.
“There are a lot of people that aren’t originally from Las Vegas that land there. I love the fact that in Owensboro so many people have a strong connection to it as their hometown. So I shared that I’m from Owensboro on national TV. Everyone in Owensboro is celebrating through me,” Leech said.
He added, “I wish I could have won a new car for myself, but it’s okay it didn’t happen. I did not win as much as I would have liked, but I got to experience the whole show. I got to meet Drew Carey, and represent my school and Owensboro.”
