A Fredericton teacher’s family vacation to California turned into a national television moment when he was called to Contestant’s Row and went on to win $50,745 in cash and prizes on the American game show The Price Is Right.
From the audience to the winner’s circle
Mark Piquette, who teaches at Bliss Carmen Middle School in Fredericton, was among the audience members invited to the studio while on holiday. What began as an ordinary trip for the family became “the trip of a lifetime” when Piquette’s name was selected and his place on the stage quickly turned into a winning run on the long‑running show hosted by Drew Carey.
“My name got called and I was like ‘this is not real, this is not really happening,’” Piquette said.
The moment was submitted to the Daily Gleaner and later shared with local media; photos supplied with coverage show Piquette and the show host celebrating the win. The total includes both cash and various prizes awarded during the episode.
What it means locally
The attention on a Fredericton educator on an international entertainment platform carried a note of community pride. Colleagues, students and neighbours often share in such successes, and the win is likely to be a talking point in the classrooms and staff rooms at Bliss Carmen Middle School.
Teachers in small and mid‑sized cities like Fredericton often receive strong local support for achievements outside the classroom, whether in arts, athletics or, as in this case, popular culture. The win also highlights the human side of educators — their lives outside work, and the ways in which family time and travel can produce unexpected, memorable events.
Details shared
- Winner: Mark Piquette, Bliss Carmen Middle School teacher (Fredericton).
- Show: The Price Is Right, hosted by Drew Carey.
- Winnings: $50,745 in cash and prizes.
- Location: Filming occurred in California while Piquette was on a family vacation.
Organizers and producers of game shows routinely invite audience members to participate; for viewers and potential contestants, the moment serves as a reminder that an ordinary audience trip can become something extraordinary.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Contestant | Mark Piquette |
| Occupation | Teacher at Bliss Carmen Middle School, Fredericton |
| Show | The Price Is Right |
| Host | Drew Carey |
| Total winnings | $50,745 |
Community reaction and next steps
While the specifics of how Piquette intends to use the money were not disclosed in coverage supplied to local media, such wins frequently fund family activities, pay down debts, support educational goals or are shared among family members. For many in Fredericton, the immediate reaction has been one of celebration and congratulations for a local teacher who represented the city on a prominent U.S. programme.
The story also offers a light moment amid regular local news cycles — an instance where a resident’s luck on a game show brings a positive headline back home. It is a reminder of the unexpected stories that can emerge when Fredericton residents travel, and how those moments can reflect back on the community.
Photographs submitted with the story show Piquette on stage with the host and smiling with the show’s signature fanfare. The Daily Gleaner coverage that first detailed the event described the encounter as a once‑in‑a‑lifetime experience for the teacher and his family.
As the Fredericton community extends its congratulations, Piquette’s win will likely become part of local lore — shared in classrooms, neighbourhoods and on social media — and serve as an upbeat story for residents who know him professionally or personally.
