Pick 5 quick-pick ticket provides Baltimore woman with needed education funds
A 21-year-old who graduated from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore with honors got a major assist from Lady Luck in paying for her master’s degree classes.
The Baltimore woman, who needs the second degree to work as an occupational therapist, won $50,000 playing the Maryland Lottery’s Pick 5 game. She placed a $1 straight bet for the July 20 evening drawing, letting the terminal pick the numbers for her. All five numbers hit for the $50,000 prize.
After the drawing, she scanned the ticket on her Lottery mobile app and was taken aback when she realized she had won such a large prize. The happy winner told Lottery officials that she plays Pick 5 and other draw games fairly regularly.
“My grandmother played a lot when I was young,” she said. When she became old enough, the granddaughter began playing, too. The graduate student plays when she has extra money and has won smaller prizes in the past. The biggest one prior to her July 20 score was a win of about $2,000.
Since graduating from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, she began the process of pursuing her graduate degree at Towson University. This Lottery win will help put a big dent in her tuition bill.
Asked if she had celebrated after learning of her $50,000 prize, the lucky lady said the reality of the situation has yet to sink in. “It feels surreal,” she added.
Sharing in her good fortune is Baltimore’s Safeway #1469 at 5660 Baltimore National Pike, where she bought her lucky ticket. The store receives a bonus of $500 for its role in the big win.
