Most people never wear their high school cap and gown after graduation, but 2011 Freedom High School graduate Ian Jones recently slipped into his gown one last time and walked away with $1,000.

Jones, along with his father, Donald, had no idea that when they set out for Hollywood at 2:30 a.m. on July 13, Ian would return to Oakley a “Let’s Make a Deal” winner.

Ian, who dressed as a geeky grad with chunky black glasses, was selected from the crowd by host Wayne Brady to play a game in which he listened to Brady rock some rhymes before deciding to make the deal or not. Based on Brady’s lyrical clues, Ian guessed there was a two-wheel motorized machine behind Door No. 1. But rather than risk it all, Ian, without hesitation, took Brady’s counter offer of $1,000 cash. The curtain was pulled back to reveal a sparkling Suzuki Boulevard S32 Cruiser motorcycle, valued at $5,099 – but Ian has no regrets.

“The motorcycle was really cool, but I need the money,” said the Los Medanos College music student. “I’m in college, so some of the money can go toward that, but I want to use most of it to put toward a music studio.”

An aspiring musician who dabbles in Christian-themed hip hop, Ian said the experience – which included rapping with Brady on stage – was “pretty amazing.” So is the cap and gown his new lucky charm? “I was dancing the whole time, trying to pump up the crowd’s energy during commercial breaks, and I was dancing so much that when Wayne called me, I tripped a little and ripped the gown. But that didn’t matter. It seems like good things happen when I wear it.”

Donald, dressed as “proud grad dad,” said it was fun to relive Ian’s win when the episode aired on Nov. 3. He looks forward to seeing his own appearance on the show, which airs on Nov. 22– though he’s sworn to secrecy about whether or not he won big like his son.

During their trip to Hollywood, Ian and Donald sat in on two tapings of “Let’s Make a Deal,” but the dynamic duo hopes this is only the beginning of their TV career. They plan to audition for “The Amazing Race” next year, and as soon as Ian turns 21, he plans to audition for “Big Brother.”

“He and I are drawn to these shows and would love the experience – and love to share the experience with others,” Donald said. “The prizes are just icing on the cake.”

“Let’s Make a Deal” airs on CBS. Check local listings to see Donald’s appearance next Tuesday.