UPDATE: Thursday, July 15
Here are a few photos from our surprise!
Ultimate Payday Scratch-Off Top-Prize Drawing Winner
Ultimate Payday Winner Paula Evans with Maryland State Lottery Director Stephen L. Martino
As Paula Evans walked through the doors at Lottery Headquarters today, she learned that she was Maryland’s newest millionaire. The shocked 39-year-old immediately broke down in tears. The Landover resident was randomly selected on July 8th from over 44,000 Ultimate Payday Top-Prize Drawing mail-in entries.
The winner, who has a 21-year-old daughter in college, a 17-year-old son about to start college, and an 18-year-old disabled son at home, said, “I just want to be able to take care of my children. That is what’s most important.”
While at the Lottery, Paula called various family members to tell them the news. Everyone was in disbelief. Her mother, who works at a hospital in North Carolina, said she was going to run through the hospital screaming. Her aunt prayed with her on the phone. Her daughter called her a “storyteller.”
The win came at a great time as Paula just completed her first semester at Prince George’s Community College. Along with raising her children, the nursing student earned a 4.0 GPA. Through tears of happiness, Paula told Lottery Officials, “This is still so unbelievable. I thank God for my blessings.”
The Ultimate Payday ticket was launched in April 2008, along with the Top-Prize Drawing contest. Although the contest has ended, the Lottery has numerous other second-chance opportunities. Information can be found at www.mdlottery.com.