Commission Meeting Minutes March 20, 2025
Idaho Lottery Commission Meeting May 22, 2025
2025 CW Sagle Elementary Vanderhoof
Date: May 2025
School: Sagle Elementary School
Wish Delivered: Reading Phones
Teacher Jen Corneelius says "Whisper phones allow students to hear themselves reading aloud clearly during small group reading intervention time when there may be other noises in the classroom. Listening to themselves read aloud in a quiet way will aid students in self-correcting their errors and boosting comprehension while not adding to the noise in the classroom."
Wish Amount: $65.00
2025 CW Kellogg Middle School Houston
Date: May 2025
School: Kellogg Middle School
Wish Delivered: Essential needs supplies
Teacher Sandie Houston says "I run what we call The Den at Kellogg Middle School in Kellogg, Idaho. We have a large percentage of students and families below the poverty level and many who are also homeless, living in campers etc. The Den is a safe place for students who may not do as well in a normal classroom, need to eat, toiletries, clothes, shoes and other items needed. Right now, I do all of this out of my own pocket. Students are able to come to The Den for all kinds of things, makeup work if they were absent, a place to be if they are stressed, a place to feel safe, accepted, and comfortable. I try to fill as many needs as I can."
Wish Amount: $7,000
2025 CW Canfield Library Holcomb
Date: May 2025
School: Canfield Library
Wish Delivered: Books
Teacher Sarah Holcomb says "I have many students who are needing dyslexia font books for free reading time and projects. Many students who are dyslexic are hi-lo readers; meaning they need books that are printed in a friendly font and are high interest and low reading level. We currently do not have any of these books in our library. These books would be available to all of our 750 students at the Canfield Middle School Library. These book will help students that are struggling with dyslexia or other comprehension issues. Many students are wanting to check out books from our library for free reading a class projects. At this time, I am unable to provide these books for this vulnerable population. Our students would like to have access to hi-lo books that would hold their interest and meet classroom project needs."
Wish Amount: $282.00
2025 CW Cardinal Academy Public Charter Abercrombie
Date: May 2025
School: Cardinal Academy Public Charter
Wish Delivered: Computers
Teacher Amber Abercrombie says "We are a high school for pregnant and parenting teens. When our school opened 4 years ago, money was so tight that we gladly accepted the old discarded laptops another local school was retiring so they could get new ones. Those old laptops are now 4 years older than they were when we got them and they glitch, do not hold charges, are broken, or in disrepair. We do not have a budget to replace, so we are slapping a "bandaid" on them and carrying on. Because of our population, our students are often on bedrest, maternity leave, or home with sick babies. We have to have a working device for each of our students in case they have to do their coursework from home."
Wish Amount: $9570.00
Cash Cooler Weekly
Cool off with some summer fun essentials from the Idaho Lottery!
Two Gold and Silver Top Prizes Claimed on Same Day
One of the most sought-after Scratch games in recent Idaho Lottery memory ended when both top prizes of $300,000 from the game Gold & Silver were claimed at Lottery offices in Boise on Monday. In recent weeks, with both top prizes unclaimed, the Idaho Lottery had received numerous record requests for lists of retail locations and a steady stream of daily phone calls from players asking about the game’s status, all trying to track down any available tickets that remained for sale. When both Gold & Silver winners were claimed, the game had sold 99.97% of all available tickets.
The first Gold & Silver top prize of $300,000 was sold from Cameron Mini Mart in Kellogg in northern Idaho. The second Gold & Silver top prize of $300,000 was sold at Maverik in Rigby in eastern Idaho.
Both top prizes were purchased and claimed by Fortunate Sons, LLC, a group of friends from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania who engage in “Lotto-tourism” all across America. Lottery players, both in and out of the state, will invest their money and time in travel-related expenses, scouring the country in hopes of trying to find a top prize-winning ticket by purchasing as many remaining tickets in a game as possible.
In addition to the sale of the scratch tickets purchased by these organizations, these traveling players also contribute to Idaho’s economy through overnight accommodations, rental car fees, fuel, and food expenses. It isn’t uncommon for Lottery players to cross borders. Players from Oregon, Washington, and Utah often cross into Idaho to play the Lottery and the same is true for Idaho Lottery players.
The Idaho Lottery does not endorse the strategy employed by these organizations that chase jackpots all across our country.
For selling the top prizes on Gold & Silver, Cameron Mini Mart and Maverik will each receive a bonus from the Idaho Lottery of $20,000.
2025 CW Eagle Hills Elementary Ludvik
Date: May 2025
School: Eagle Hills Elementary
Wish Delivered: Special Education supplies
Teacher Zuzana Ludvik says "All of these items will allow our special education department to set up a social skills room for our students. This room is a little different than a sensory room because we focus on social skills, specifically for our students on the autism spectrum. The beanbags, rug, plants, bookshelf, wall decor, baskets, lamps, and wall sensory decor will allow us to set up a calm, neutral space for the students. The additional items such as legos, play doh, weighted stuffed animals, board game, and sensory stones will provide students with activities and sensory items. Students will be grateful for a calming space we can hold our daily social skills groups in."
Wish Amount: $1290.08
2025 CW Pillar Falls Elementary Cardinale
Date: May 2025
School: Pillar Falls Elementary
Wish Delivered: Classroom Books
Teacher Heather Cardinale says " Listen While You Learn is a reading program introduced by the school librarian during the fall of the 2022-2023 school year, thanks to the generous support of the Twin Falls Education Foundation. The program is available to Kindergarten through 4th-grade students at Pillar Falls Elementary School. My wish list will support the growth and continuation of the Listen While You Learn program, which engages students and promotes a love of reading. This will be achieved by purchasing resources such as VOX Books and Immersive Reality (IR) Books. Unfortunately, due to budget cuts and a lack of funding, we have not been able to complete the purchase of all necessary materials to reach as many students as desired."
Wish Amount: $1903.42
Scratch for Schools 2025
The Idaho Lottery hosted the most successful series of events for Scratch for Schools in the program’s 24 year history. Exactly 500 schools competed in one of 11 events, from the small intimate venue of the Cambridge Fire Station to the mega-sized event with 108 schools at the Ford Idaho Center.
Originally slated for just 10 events, when US 95 between Council and New Meadows was shut down due to the road being washed away, the schools in Council and Cambridge could no longer attend their scheduled event in McCall without undertaking a 3 ½ hour, 195 mile journey each way. The Lottery responded to help the schools by quickly scheduling an event in the a community room/kitchen area of the Cambridge Volunteer Fire Department facility.
Like each year, teams of three compete to win prizes. However, sometimes, teams of two can be successful. Without a team leader, and one of their participants in a cast for a broken left-elbow, the team from McCall-Donnelly High School in McCall successfully won the day’s event by scratching 191 of the 200 tickets in their pack!
Several schools won close to $1,000, including Sawtooth Elementary in Twin Falls, Spirit Lake Elementary in Coeur d’Alene, Sandpoint High School in Sandpoint, Hawthorne Middle School in Pocatello, and Barbara Morgan Elementary in McCall. Seven Oaks Elementary in Eagle, though, rose above the others to claim $1,172 during the event in Boise to become one of the largest winners in Scratch for Schools history.
2025 CW Melba Jr/Sr High Hunter
Date: April 2025
School: Melba Jr/Sr High
Wish Delivered: Special Education books and supplies
Teacher Christie Hunter says " To keep the learning process engaging and effective, I plan to restructure next year's curriculum with educational materials that cater to their diverse skill levels. Utilizing MathBait will be instrumental in this endeavor. This program will not only enhance their reading and comprehension skills through literature and math story problems but also provide engaging challenges that encourage them to apply their knowledge in practical scenarios."
Wish Amount: $855.88
2025 CW Idaho Arts Charter Curd
Date: April 2025
School: Idaho Arts Charter
Wish Delivered: Desks with storage
Teacher Tracy Curd says "Stuffed like sardines! My students and I are trapped and confined daily because of the enormous and awkwardly sized student tables in our already small classroom. I am a third grade teacher at Idaho Arts Charter School, a Title One school and school district in itself that does not receive the usual funding and support that other schools do in the public school districts of Idaho. We are desperately seeking funding that could supply our class and future classes with the learning environment and appropriate seating they deserve. There are many limitations and obstacles we have tried to overcome this year due to the tables, with minimal success."
Wish Amount: $4,156.26
Local Radio Host Wins $35,000 on Scratch Ticket
Longtime player and Lottery supporter, Kevin Mee won the top prize on the Lottery’s Cashword Scratch Game, claiming $35,000!
The local morning radio show host on 101.9 The Bull in the Treasure and Magic Valleys has won a few second chance draws from the Lottery in the past, but this time, “I really hit the big one!” he exclaimed when he contacted the Lottery about his win.
According to Kevin, he had purchased several cashword tickets to play on a stormy Saturday afternoon. He realized he had completed 9 words and quickly scanned the ticket with the Lottery’s mobile app which showed it was a winner. While Kevin was checking the Lottery’s website to see what he might have won, his wife Brenda realized Kevin had actually scratched 10 words. At the same time, they both realized the ticket was a $35,000 winner.
Along with Brenda, Kevin claimed his winning ticket alongside his poodle, Lady, the “ticket eating dog”. Yes, that’s true – Kevin’s dog, Lady, did once eat a few winning scratch tickets in the past. Luckily for Kevin it wasn’t this one worth $35,000!
“This win is an answer to a prayer to help our family,” said Kevin.
The winning ticket was sold at the ExtraMile Chevron on Fairview Avenue in Meridian near the Fred Meyer.
2025 CW McSorley Elementary Guzman
Date: April 2025
School: McSorley Elementary
Wish Delivered: Keyboards and Stylus Set
Teacher Cara Guzman says "Keyboards would be extremely helpful for our typers! In third grade, we use our iPads often and a keyboard helps them use the full screen of their iPad. Since our district updates iPads often, I find it beneficial to have a Bluetooth keyboard so I don't have to worry about the plug-in no longer being compatible with the new iPad. Stylus would be beneficial for my students so they can click on small words, easier, on their iPads. It will help them to complete work, by "working problems out" on their iPads."
Wish Amount: $969.65
2025 CW Farmin Stidwell Elementary Kerrigan
Date: April 2025
School: Farmin Stidwell Elementary
Wish Delivered: Compass Kit
Teacher Timothy Kerrigan says "In an age of digital reliance, learning traditional navigation fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and self-reliance. Compasses provide hands-on learning opportunities that enhance spatial awareness and geographic literacy, empowering students to navigate unfamiliar environments confidently. The requested compasses and curriculum will be used for grades K-6th, serving over 500 children. These compasses will help our students understand direction, map reading, and route planning. By incorporating them into our curriculum, students develop a deeper connection to their surroundings, gaining practical experience in orienteering, land navigation, and environmental awareness. These skills promote confidence, teamwork, and resilience—key components of outdoor education."
Wish Amount: $595.00
Rebekah Vanzelf
2025 CW Barbra R Morgan Elementary Doane
Date: April 2025
School: Barbara R Morgan Elementary
Wish Delivered: Hands-on Learning Experience
Teacher Lesley Doane says "This project aims to create a hands-on learning experience for kindergarten students by raising chicks in the classroom! The students will be actively involved in the entire process, from hatching the eggs to caring for the chicks as they grow. Students will learn about responsibility, empathy for animals, and build confidence. It will also enhance critical thinking and teamwork skills as students observe, interact with, and learn about the life cycle of chickens. This ties in with our science standards on learning about animals and environmental awareness. Having new equipment for all three classes will allow everyone to participate equally."
Wish Amount: $629.70
Jessica Searles
New Library at Stanley School
Eighteen months ago, in November 2023, the Idaho Lottery visited Stanley School, at the base of the Sawtooth Mountain Range in central Idaho. The school of 24 students and three classrooms had just received a Bucks for Books award for $3,000.
During that presentation, the school staff showed Lottery representatives the “library.” The library was not a traditional space, rather it was located in the former boys shower, complete with faucets and fixtures. It was one of the more creative uses of space at an elementary school in Idaho.
It was clear the small locker and shower area had outgrown its usefulness with no room to put the new books being purchased from the Bucks for Books award. At the conclusion of the Lottery’s visit, Lottery employees mentioned that if the school ever built a real library that could house all their books, to contact them for a Classroom Wishlist to help build the school new bookcases.
The Stanley School then had discussions with their leaders at the Challis School District. There were funds available from the District to expand and modernize the school with two new classrooms, but the school needed to provide some matching funds. While discussions were taking place, the school’s staff asked how much more to add a library to the expansion. The answer, about $100,000.
So the school set out to raise funds from members of the Stanley and nearby communities. The first donors were from the Janice Seagrave’s Family Foundation. The Seagraves were from the Hailey area and split a $48 million Powerball jackpot with another family on Christmas in 1996. The fundraising efforts were a success for the small community school.
Fast forward to spring 2025. The addition to the school is complete with two new classrooms and a brand new library space. The school’s upper-elementary teacher is Sammy Forsgren. Sammy is a second-generation resident of Stanley who attended the elementary school in her youth. She now lives in Stanly and teaches in the same building she once attended as a child.
Remembering the Lottery’s offer to provide furniture for the new library, Sammy submitted a Classroom Wishlist award request for bookcases, desks, and comfortable reading chairs for the new library. Sammy: Wish granted. Shelves, seating options and a desk were shipped to the school during the winter months. Now, they adorn a bright room with south facing windows that look straight at the Sawtooth Range.
During early April, the Idaho Lottery visited the school again to see the transformation and make a formal “ribbon” cutting for the new library, which quite likely, is the most scenic school library in America.
Mega Millions Changes Begin this Weekend
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BOISE, Idaho – Nationwide changes to the popular game Mega Millions are coming this weekend for Lottery players. Beginning tomorrow, April 5, 2025, Mega Millions will debut new features that include bigger prizes and a unique game play format. The price for each of the new tickets is $5.
As Mega Millions has experienced nationwide success, and billion-dollar jackpots become more common, there has been a growing request from players to share more of the prize money among more players. The new version of Mega Millions will do just that. The game will also provide additional benefits for Idaho public schools and buildings.
Each $5 ticket, or line of play, will include a randomly assigned an individual multiplier number: 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X. Non-jackpot winning prizes will begin at a minimum of $10 or double the price to play; with the chance to win up to as much as $10 million for tickets that match all five of the first numbers, but not the Mega Ball.
The Idaho Lottery was created to benefit Idaho public schools and buildings. Approximately 35% of each ticket purchased by players will go directly to Idaho’s beneficiaries. Last year, Mega Millions alone contributed approximately $9.8 million, or about 11.7% of the Lottery’s record $84 million dividend.
Unless someone wins tonight’s $43 million jackpot, the jackpot from the current game will become the starting jackpot for the new game and continue to grow until someone wins it.
Players who have a winning ticket that was issued for a draw prior to the game change will still have 180 days to claim their prize from the date of the draw. Prizes won before the game change will be paid using the current prize matrix. All prizes won for the Tuesday, April 8, 2025, draw and after will be paid using the new prize matrix.
Idaho has sold Mega Millions since 2010. During that time, Idaho has recorded one jackpot winner on Mega Millions. Sixteen winners have won at least $250,000 each from playing Mega Millions. The game created eight instant millionaires in Idaho.
Draws for Mega Millions will still occur every Tuesday and Friday night at 9 pm Mountain Time. The first draw of the new game will be on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
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ABOUT THE IDAHO LOTTERY
The Idaho Lottery responsibly provides a variety of entertaining games featuring Powerball, Mega Millions, Scratch GamesTM, and PullTabs with a high degree of integrity to maximize the dividend for Idaho public schools and the permanent building fund. Since their inception in 1989, the Idaho Lottery has sold over $5.8 billion in products, awarded more than $3.7 billion in prizes to players, returned $342 million in retail commissions, and distributed $1.273 billion in Lottery dividends to Idaho public schools and buildings. To learn more, please visit www.idaholottery.com.
Sheryl Saxton
2025 CW Riverbend Elementary Wielan
Date: April 2025
School: Riverbend Elementary
Wish Delivered: 3D Printer
Teacher Nicole Olsen Wieland says "A 3D printer would be a valuable addition to my 3rd-grade classroom by providing students with hands-on, interactive learning experiences that enhance their understanding of STEM concepts. Through 3D printing, students can design and create physical objects that bring abstract ideas to life, such as geometric shapes in math or models of ecosystems in science. This kind of tangible learning helps deepen comprehension and makes complex topics more accessible, allowing students to visualize and manipulate their ideas in real-world ways."
Wish Amount: $774.95
2025 CW Theresa Bunker Elementary Maxwell
Date: April 2025
School: Theresa Bunker Elementary
Wish Delivered: Chairs
Teacher Christina Maxwell says "Flexible seating has been proven to enhance student engagement, focus, and comfort, especially for students with diverse learning needs. I currently have four wobble stools that have been a huge hit with my students. These stools allow them to move while they work, which helps them stay focused and reduces fidgeting. However, because I only have four stools for a class of 20, students often fight over them, and some are left without the opportunity to use this helpful tool.Having a full set of wobble stools or other types of flexible seating would provide all of my students with the chance to benefit from movement, improving their ability to stay on task and engage with the lesson. Many of my students struggle with attention and sensory regulation, and the flexibility to choose their seating can help them create a learning environment where they feel comfortable and can succeed."
Wish Amount: $1093.00
2025 CW South Fork Elementary Harris
Date: April 2025
School: South Fork Elementary
Wish Delivered: Classroom Science Supplies
Teacher Jennifer Harris says "As a second-year teacher with an undergraduate degree in science, I am dedicated to creating an engaging and effective learning environment for my 4th-grade students. I aim to enhance our science curriculum through hands-on experiences and to provide essential classroom supplies that support overall student learning. By providing hands-on learning opportunities and essential classroom supplies, we can create an engaging, supportive, and effective learning environment."
Wish Amount: $650.00
2025 CW Burley Jr High Watterson
Date: April 2025
School: Burley Jr High School
Wish Delivered: 3D Printers
Teacher Renee Watterson says "The Idaho Lottery Wishlist will help me to meet the needs of my junior high students that are wanting to learn the design process (engineering) with 3D printers. I have 330+ of 580 total student body every year that wants to get into my 3D printing class. I have 2 classes per semester which is only reaching 120 students a year. I used to teach my 8th graders in their science class how to 3D print with an assignment associated with Earth Science curriculum. I quit including my science class due to how long it takes to print each students’ projects. My 3D printing class became my priority; which made me very sad that my science kiddos are missing this opportunity to learn and understand science deeper."
Wish Amount: $1847.00
Kevin Mee
Mikel Jepsen
Idaho Backroads Lead to School Music
Tucked neatly in the undulating swells of the Palouse in north-central Idaho among the sprawling fields and pine trees is the rural town of Genesee. The town lies just off US 95 between Moscow and Lewiston, away from the bustle of the main road, it’s a tight knit community and home to the Genesee School and the mighty Bulldogs.
Like the town itself, hidden away in the school is a thriving music program for the pre-K through grade 12 school. On a cold, wet spring morning, the Idaho Lottery made a special Classroom Wishlist visit to Mrs. Smith, the music and band teacher for the school. To encourage the future development of the school’s musical program, she asked for and was awarded 24 new pbuzz wind teaching instruments and five new trumpets.
The Lottery team was treated to a musical performance by the middle school band, with about 30 performers in all. They were outstanding! What a surprise to see that music, and music done well, was the very heart of the school and bustling community. For a school of 360 students, more than 10% were participating in the middle school band alone. Remarkable!
Taking a series of backroads from Genesee through Moscow to the mountains and meadows to the east, the Lottery team visited Bovill Elementary School for another Classroom Wishlist delivery. This visit was to Miss Summerfield’s second grade classroom. The small rural school has about 60 students, but her second grade classroom had a quarter of them with 15 students.
The Lottery team told the students they were from Boise. The curious students asked many questions about the big city and even offered a list of things you might find in the city like “a park,” “traffic lights,” “a zoo,” “a store,” and “big schools”.
The delivery included everything Dr. Seuss, from a complete collection of Seuss books to reading games, and Seuss-themed stuffed characters like The Cat in the Hat. After a short story-time reading to the second graders, much like The Cat in the Hat, when the story was done, it was time to put away books, games, and characters as the students had other subjects to study. These second-grade students, as part of “Read Across America Week” were each challenged by Miss Summerfield to read every single Dr. Seuss book she received by the end of the school year. Two students have already succeeded in doing so.
There are many surprises you’ll find in Idaho if you take the back roads, but you’ll never know what they are unless you venture off the main highway. And for two small towns, they were worth the extra miles.
2025 CW Butte View Elementary
Date: March 2025
School: Butte View Elementary
Wish Delivered: Math Class Supplies
Teacher Kaylee Burkhart says "Our students seem to lack in number sense and are really tactile learners so I'm asking for blocks and magnets that will help students be able to have something in their hands to move while learning. Using the blocks/magnets to identify and represent whole numbers, helping students visualize different quantities. This will support the development of strong number sense. Students will also build and break apart numbers, deepening their understanding of addition and subtraction concepts. By composing and decomposing numbers, they will enhance their ability to solve problems and manipulate quantities. Additionally, students will observe and understand patterns and relationships between numbers by stacking and rearranging the blocks, which will promote the recognition of numerical relationships and foster critical thinking skills."
Wish Amount: $803.00
Michael Scanlon
Idaho Lottery Commission Approves Advertising Services Request for Proposals
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BOISE, Idaho – During a regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, March 20, 2025, the Idaho Lottery Commission approved issuing a Request for Proposals seeking bids from quality and experienced advertising and marketing agencies.
“As a government entity, it is our fiduciary responsibility to evaluate the way we conduct our business activities. The Idaho Lottery is committed to good government and governance, and that requires evaluating our outsourced, contracted services,” said Andrew Arulanandam, Idaho Lottery Director. “It is incumbent for us to do our due diligence and examine all opportunities.”
Qualified advertising and marketing respondents to the RFP have until 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time on Friday, April 18, 2025, to provide the Idaho Lottery with written proposal submissions. A copy of the Advertising Services RFP may be downloaded from the Idaho Lottery’s website at https://www.idaholottery.com/p....
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ABOUT THE IDAHO LOTTERY
The Idaho Lottery responsibly provides a variety of entertaining games featuring Powerball, Mega Millions, Scratch GamesTM, and PullTabs with a high degree of integrity to maximize the dividend for Idaho public schools and the permanent building fund. Since their inception in 1989, the Idaho Lottery has sold over $5.8 billion in products, awarded more than $3.7 billion in prizes to players, returned $342 million in retail commissions, and distributed $1.273 billion in Lottery dividends to Idaho public schools and buildings. To learn more, please visit www.idaholottery.com.
2025 CW Georgetown Elementary Wells
Date: March 2025
School: Georgetown Elementary
Wish Delivered: Library Shelving
Teacher Tara Wells says "We are a small school with a small space for a library. Our shelves are full and we don't have room for more shelves. We have some small spaces where a spinning book shelf could be placed. The spinning shelves can hold up to 80 books! So with 2 of the 4-tier shelves we could add nearly 160 books to our circulation! We have money to buy more books for our library but we have no room to put the books. By getting 2 of the 4-tier revolving shelves we could add nearly 160 new books to the library."
Wish Amount: $219.98
Commission Meeting Minutes January 16, 2025
2025 CW Lewis and Clark Christensen
Date: March 2025
School: Lewis and Clark
Wish Delivered: Bal-a-Vis-x music teaching tools
Teacher Breann Christensen says "I took the Bal-a-vis-x training back in November. I really want to incorporate the techniques learned into my classes but I don't have the supplies or the budget to do so. The results they have had from this program have been amazing. It has helped so many kids, and I want a chance to share that with the learners I teach. I get to work with and teach all learners at four different elementary schools! I love being able to bring music into their lives. I prepare the most varied lessons I can think of. I try and make it so that there is something for everyone. We have some singing, some dancing, some game time, some instrument time, etc. This makes my classes more fun and gives all kids a chance to enjoy what we are doing. I really think that Bal-a-vis-x during my lessons will help that along. A big part of our standards is helping kids feel the beat. Bal-a-vis-x is very beat centered. This program helps kids focus and feel like they can accomplish anything. And not only that, but it is fun!"
Wish Amount: $885.00
2025 CW Adams Elementary Derrick
Date: March 2025
School: Adams Elementary
Wish Delivered: Art Supplies
Teacher Stephanie Derrick says "We are in need of two key resources: colored paper and enough headphones for our entire third-grade level. Many of our students experience learning challenges such as dyslexia and Irlen Syndrome, both of which can significantly impact their ability to process written material. Research has shown that using colored paper can help alleviate some of these difficulties by providing visual contrast that makes reading easier. Unfortunately, our school’s limited budget has made it difficult to provide these materials, which are crucial for our students' learning."
Wish Amount: $5544.62
Dispenser Inventory On-Counter Numbers
1-24 On Counter #’s single set / 1-24 On Counter #’s double set
Proof is in the Picture – Nampa Man Claims $414,000 as Last 5 Star Draw Winner
No one wanted to believe Sean Drye, Nampa, that he had won the 5 Star Draw jackpot. Not his wife, not his mother. Sean barely believed it himself. After only playing the game for a few months, he scanned his ticket with the Idaho Lottery’s mobile app in early March and was shocked at what it said.
“Claim at Lottery.”
Excited, he told his wife he’d won a big prize. She replied, “No way!” He got a similar reaction from his mother. No one believed him.
When Sean claimed his jackpot winning prize at the lottery, he asked for photos with his oversized souvenir check to prove he had, indeed, won the big jackpot.
The proof is in the picture. Sean is the last big winner on the game 5 Star Draw as the Lottery plans to retire the game in early April.
He plans to invest his winnings and set aside savings for his young daughter’s future.
Sean purchased his winning ticket from Jacksons #181 in Nampa.
Casey Balls
2025 CW Genesee School District Smith
Date: March 2025
School: Genesee School District
Wish Delivered: Musical Instruments
Teacher Marianna Smith says "Genesee School District is a PreK-12th grade school building. Our Genesee Music program continues to pursue performing opportunities that involve our K-12 Music Program. We are in desperate need to upgrade our band instruments so every 4th -12th student has access to an instrument. Several of our students families can not afford to rent/purchase a band instrument and are only provided broken unfixable 40 year old instruments. There has been funding attempts as our music students fundraise locally and many grants are sought after, but in such a small rural town, our community resources are tapped from already supporting our sports teams, FFA, BPA, 4-H, Senior class, and the Genesee Rural Fire Department."
Wish Amount: $1963.8
2025 CW Bovill Summerfield
Date: March 2025
School: Bovill Elementary
Wish Delivered: Classroom Supplies
Teacher Kassie Summerfield says "In preparation for Read Across America Week, beginning March 2nd, I'd like to have the listed supplies to give my students a reading experience they'll never forget. I work in a small town of 198 residents, and due to our location, the resources to heighten student experiences are limited. The school I work for, Bovill Elementary, is a K-3 school. The largest class is mine, with just seventeen students. Our little school library has very few Dr. Seuss books, making Read Across America Week very dull. In the past, I've reached out to several public libraries to check out their Dr. Seuss books, but in my area, they seem hard to come by. Read Across America Week isn't what it used to be. I want to be able to help bring it to life in my school for many years to come, while encouraging my coworkers to do the same. My job is to foster the love for reading in my students, and there is no better way to do that than to show them how fun reading can really be!"
Wish Amount: $504.08
Theresa Craig
2025 CW Orofino Jr/Sr high Hill
Date: March 2025
School: Orofino Jr/Sr High
Wish Delivered: Spanish Books
Teacher Sarah Hill says "My students will increase their fluency and confidence in the Spanish language as they read their first Spanish novel. These books are specifically written for Spanish language learners to help them practice the language they know and also challenge them to increase their vocabulary and stamina around reading in a second language."
Wish Amount: $587.60
Kristi Bolton
Rainy Day Turns into Pay Day for Sandpoint Man
For some Idaho Lottery players, winning isn’t only about the prize, it’s the experience that comes with it. Such was the case for Robert Phillips, Sandpoint, who played, won, and claimed the jackpot prize of $120,800 on the Idaho-only game, Idaho Cash in mid-February.
On a stormy, rainy Monday morning, Robert arrived at the Lottery Offices after a long, soggy journey from Sandpoint to Boise. A regular player who purchases one ticket for most draw games, Robert admitted that he had won before playing Idaho Cash, but usually only $12. Of course, this prize-winning ticket also had a “12” in it with a few more zeroes behind it.
Easygoing and humble, Robert embraced his celebrity status by taking his picture with his souvenir check along with a couple of selfies, even though he still seemed reluctant to believe that he’d won.
“I’m still trying to believe this is real,” he exclaimed. “This doesn’t just happen to people.”
Robert had no immediate plans for his prize winnings but was at least looking forward to the rain letting up on his drive home so he could enjoy the scenery.
The Idaho Cash winning ticket was sold at Yoke’s in Ponderay.
2025 CW Star Middle Grubbs
Date: March 2025
School: Star Middle School
Wish Delivered: Classroom Furniture
Teacher Kailey Grubbs says "As a first-year teacher fresh out of college, I’ve poured my heart and a significant portion of my own money into creating a welcoming and effective learning environment for my students. But now that the school year is in full swing, I’ve realized there are critical resources I still need to help my students thrive.I teach 6th grade, but many of my students are working at 2nd- and 3rd-grade levels. To give them the individualized attention they deserve, a kidney table would be a game-changer. It would allow me to work closely with small groups, tailoring lessons to meet their unique needs and help them catch up academically."
Wish Amount: $1055
2025 CW Rolling Hills Public Charter Talcott
Date: March 2025
School: Rolling Hills Public Charter School
Wish Delivered: Snap Circuits kit
Teacher Marie Talcott says "I teach 4th grade in a Title 1 school. This means that we serve a high percentage of students from low income families. I am requesting these science kits to to offer my students a hands on opportunity to observe that energy can be transferred by electric currents. This aligns with the 4th grade science energy standards and supports the science and engineering practice of developing and using models. These kits comes with 28 components to create 100+ different electronic projects. These kits will be used with care and will support student learning for years to come."
Wish Amount: $495.42
2025 CW Buhl High Margulieux
Date: March 2025
School: Buhl High School
Wish Delivered: Laptops and computer supplies
Teacher Jeff Margulieux says "Within our high school robotics elective our students are able to apply technology and science concepts through engaging hands-on projects as they work together to build and design a robot. Each year our students design and build an amazing robot and compete in FIRST Robotics Competition, an inspirational and challenging program for high school students in which they learn and incorporate crucial STEM skills. In addition to building, students are responsible for coding the robot for both autonomous commands and a “teleoperated” mode in which they will use xbox controllers to maneuver the robot. For programing and robot communication requirements, we need dedicated laptops rather than students’ chromebooks. We would like to purchase two new laptops for Java programming that will replace our singular outdated laptop and allow more students to code together at the same time."
Wish Amount: $749.98
George Slane
Aiden Miller
Riley Maxwell
Bryan Soloaga
2025 CW McMillan Elementary McMullen
Date: March 2025
School: McMillian Elementary
Wish Delivered: Art Supplies
Teacher Trudy McMullen says "These items will help my classroom by providing the tools to support art education. Student will get to use their creativity, problem solving skills and learn perseverance while learning about master artists. I can remember a tiger I drew and colored in with my elementary school art teacher. I never thought I was good at art, but she encouraged me to keep trying. I was always proud of the result of that project and think about it often. I want to help create these kinds of memories with my students. Due to low socioeconomic status, many of our students do not have access to galleries, art classes, and exposure to community art events. We have an amazing opportunity to partner with community members for art education within our school walls. We utilize a program called Meet the Masters. Each month, members of the community come in and teach art lessons to each classroom. They not only do a project, but learn about master artists such as Warhol, Degas, and Monet to name a few. They are learning art vocabulary, history, elements and then they are guided in creating a piece of art."
Wish Amount: $2008.30
2025 CW Lowell Scott Middle Smith
Date: February 2025
School: Lowell Scott Middle
Wish Delivered: Sensory items
Teacher Tessie Smith says "My classroom is a special education classroom. Many of my students struggle with sensory processing. These are all tools to help them calm their senses and make it easier to focus and learn. The game is for my social skills class. We need many games that help them interact appropriately with each other."
Wish Amount: $352.89
Julie Mosher-felts
Outdoor Learning in Sandpoint
Washington Elementary in Sandpoint literally puts the outdoors into their outdoor education. Across the street from the main building, adjacent to the play yard for the school, in a field, is a large tent that houses their Outdoor Education Classroom. Inside the tent is their learning lab and tree stump seating for every student from each classroom who visits the tent regularly – even in the winter when the students have to wear their winter coats and galoshes.
Ms. Hallie requested STEM supplies from the Idaho Lottery. In her request, she said, "At Washington Elementary we prioritize outdoor learning as a vehicle for physical and mental health and STEM learning. The requested dramatic play learning tools will be used by Kindergarten through 4th grade reaching over 250 students. Joining me in our cozy learning tent surrounded by plum trees and open skies, each individual class attends our Outdoor Education course at least once every week for 40 minutes (multiple classes join a second weekly session)."
Here are some of the impacts this Classroom Wishlist will accomplish for the students at Washington Elementary:
Use STEM methodology to build shelters and habitats for each animal
Make ecological connections that all creatures rely upon one another via the food chain for balanced population dynamics
Apply knowledge and use natural items and puppets to dramatize how the food chain works
Strengthen literacy skills using reading resources to find answers
Use critical thinking skills to solve imbalanced food chain and genetic pattern scenarios
Understand the significance of Idaho’s natural resources by making connections through dramatic play
Building a collection of dramatic play items and growing their library will enhance the program and deepen scientific inquiry lessons. These tools will be used in a specific ecology learning block as well as used year-round for many other learning opportunities.
James Apperson
2025 CW Maple Grove Parsons
Date: February 2025
School: Maple Grove Elementary
Wish Delivered: Classroom Books
Teacher Krimra Parsons says "Decodable books are an excellent tool for teaching reading, especially for beginning readers. These books are designed to provide practice with specific phonetic patterns and sight words, helping children decode words as they read. As mentioned on Charge Into Reading’s site, “Compelling storylines paired with a strict scope and sequence make for a series that children won’t just be ABLE to read, but that they will actually WANT to read.” My teaching partners and I will share the 352 decodable books in grades 1 and 2 to provide beginning readers more opportunities to read books that match our phonics focus for each week. These books would be used by at least 40 students each week for several years. These books are great tools for helping students develop the skills they need to read independently, and they can be used in both the classroom and at home. This would be an amazing supplement to our curriculum to keep kids reading!"
Wish Amount: $813.12
Robert Phillips
Casey Eells
Meridian Man Wins $200,000 on Valentine’s Day
At the end of a long work week, Greg Ball stopped in his local Jacksons on Ustick Road in Meridian to pick up a few things before heading home on Valentine’s Day evening. He also picked up two $10 Idaho Lottery scratch tickets. One ticket was a non-winner. The second was a $20 winner.
Standing before the vending machine at the Jacksons, he decided to reinvest his winnings. He knew which game he wanted to play, Ultimate Bingo, but the machine featured two different bins with the game.
“Do I pick the ticket on the left, or the right? I thought about it and then went with a good feeling for the one on the left,” described Ball on his great decision. “I played it in the store, saw that I’d won $200,000 but couldn’t believe it. So, I had the store clerk check it. Sure enough, I had to bring the ticket to Boise.”
Ball immediately signed the ticket, took it home and locked it in his fireproof gun safe. And then he had to wait three days, through the long President’s Day weekend until first thing the following Tuesday morning to bring the ticket to Boise and claim his prize.
“I called my boss and told him I would be late today,” said Ball with a wide smile while he was claiming his prize before joking, “Maybe I’ll call in rich for the rest of the day.”
Ball plans to pay off his truck, his camper and a few other debts with his winnings. “If I don’t have those payments, plus what I have left over, I’ll be able to invest for the future and invest regularly.”
That’s a happy Valentine’s Day!
Gregory Ball
Dispenser Inventory Jacksons Display Tray
ID JACKSONS DUG 20 GM/24GM
ID JACKSONS DUG 20 GM/24GM
2025 CW North Gem Elementary
Date: February 2025
School: North Gem Elementary
Wish Delivered: 3D Printer Recycling
Teacher Alex Sandoval says "This year the kids have had the opportunity to design and print gifts for members of their families. A few of the kids have made ornaments for their moms, with the name of each family member printed on the ornament. The excitement they have had as they thoughtfully created and printed items unique to those they love. Some students have also designed and printed things intended for themselves but instead gave them to a sibling or a cousin. They have come in and shared this thoughtful act with me, followed with, "They really liked it and figured I could just print another one here." Having filament readily available, allows the kids to continue to design and create not just for themselves but for others."
Wish Amount: $6,950
2025 CW Madison Middle
Date: February 2025
School: Madison Middle
Wish Delivered: Printer and printer ink
Teacher Sundee Barrus says "In our ELA and Google Suite classes, students create original documents and writing. Students love to see their work come to life in color. At the end of the year, I create a portfolio for each student to keep of the work they have done. To be able to print the documents in color in my classroom would benefit the students as they would be able to keep their original work rather than just having it saved on the school's computers."
Wish Amount: $285.00
2025 CW Popplewell Elementary
Date: February 2025
School: Popplewell Elementary
Wish Delivered: Classroom Supplies
Teacher Jennifer Ross says "I am a Special Educator who works at Popplewell Elementary School in Buhl. My position as a Behavior Lead Teacher is new to the school district this year. We have found that there is a great need for our youngest students to receive direct instruction in self-regulation skills as well as social skills. By learning these skills at an early age, our students will have more success functioning in the general education setting, and will obtain the academic skills they need for future success. Fortunately, I have a great, research-based curriculum to use with our students, but I don't have a hospitable place to provide my instruction! I have access to an empty classroom, but it does not contain the types of items needed to provide kids with a calming space that will meet their sensory needs while they are working through their lessons with me."
Wish Amount: $517.37
2025 CW Rulon Ellis Elementary
Date: February 2025
School: Rulon Ellis Elementary
Wish Delivered: Sensory Supplies
Teacher Emily Jayme says "My current 2nd grade class is composed of approximately 30% students with diagnosed ADHD and/or trauma backgrounds. Some of my students' behaviors in school have added to the trauma of other students. I have recently completed training in Bal-A-Vis-X which is a simple exercise program that I can use with my students to help them self regulate and create pathways in their brains to calm them and prepare their brains for learning. I am very excited to work with students and help provide the support that they need to be successful in the classroom."
Wish Amount: $775.55
Taco Tuesday Turns Player into $100,000 Winner
Every Tuesday, Frankie Negrette, Nampa, buys a couple of tacos for dinner from Taco Aguililla Restaurant on 11th Avenue in Nampa. He then crosses the street to Tobacco Connection to buy his beverages and pick up his Idaho Lottery scratch tickets for the week.
One Tuesday in early February, Frankie followed his normal routine. He walked across the street with his tacos, purchased his beverages and bought two, $10 Encounters Mystery Box Cashword scratch tickets.
“I played them before I went to bed,” said Frankie. “The first one, oh man, it didn’t win. I got nothing. But then the second one, I kept getting one word after another. Next thing I know, I’ve got 6 words. I think I’ve won $60.”
The next day, Frankie went to the dentist with the ticket in his back pocket. Once he was done with having some fillings put in, he stopped at the Fred Meyer in Nampa to check the ticket.
“It made a noise I hadn’t heard before. The clerk told me I had to bring it to Boise!” said Frankie.
Frankie arrived at Lottery offices fully thinking maybe he’d won only $60. To his great surprise, his winning ticket was worth a lot more. $100,000 more. It turned out Frankie had 12 words and had won the top prize on the game.
“I thank God for blessing me!” he exclaimed when he received the actual check for his winnings.
Frankie plans to put his winnings toward improving his living situation.
But he still plans on going back to the same location for tacos every Tuesday.
Frankie Negrette
2025 CW Washington Elementary
Date: February 2025
School: Washington Elementary
Wish Delivered: STEM Supplies
Teacher Hallie Reikowsky says "The requested dramatic play learning tools will be used by grades Kindergarten through 4th reaching over 250 students. Joining me in our cozy learning tent surrounded by plum trees and open skies, each individual class attends our OE course at least once every week for 40 minutes (multiple classes join a second weekly session). With these supplies students will: Use STEM methodology to build shelters and habitat for each animal. Make ecological connections that all creatures rely upon one another via the food chain for balanced population dynamics. Apply knowledge and use natural items and puppets to dramatize how the food chain works. Strengthen literacy skills using reading resources to find answers. Use critical thinking skills to solve imbalanced food chain and genetic pattern scenarios. Understand the significance of Idaho’s natural resources by making connections through dramatic play. Building a collection of dramatic play items and growing our library will enhance our program and deepen scientific inquiry lessons. These tools will be used in a specific ecology learning block as well as used year round for many other learning opportunities."
Wish Amount: $434.27
Berit Bantu
Big Prizes, New Features for Mega Millions Means More Benefits for Idaho
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BOISE, Idaho – A modified version of the popular game Mega Millions will debut in Idaho and nationwide this April.
The changes coming to Mega Millions include bigger prizes and a new, unique game play format. Included with every Mega Millions line of play purchased will be a randomly assigned multiplier feature. With the multiplier feature, players will increase their non-jackpot winning prizes by at least double the price of a ticket and could have them multiplied by as many as ten times. The new Mega Millions game will cost $5 per ticket.
“The price change for Mega Millions means Idaho players will have a very diverse portfolio of draw games to choose from at different prices with differing top jackpots,” said Larry Polowski, Idaho Lottery Sales Director. “While Mega Millions will have a unique game style, we still offer games with life-changing prizes that begin at $1 per play.”
Each of the past two years, Mega Millions has had two $1 billion or higher jackpot runs. This recent success of the game led to a nationwide call for innovation. As billion-dollar jackpots become more common, there was a request from players to share the prize money among more players. The modified Mega Millions game will do just that. Each ticket, or line of play, will be randomly assigned a multiplier number: 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X. Non-jackpot winning prizes will be a minimum of $10 or double the price to play; with the chance to win up to as much as $10 million for tickets that match all five of the first numbers, but not the Mega Ball.
The Idaho Lottery was created to benefit Idaho public schools and buildings. While the new changes may create faster growing, and larger jackpots, one thing is certain: approximately 35% of each ticket purchased by players will go directly to Idaho’s beneficiaries. Last year, Mega Millions alone contributed approximately $9.8 million, or about 11.7% to the Lottery’s record $84 million dividend.
Draws for Mega Millions will still occur every Tuesday and Friday night at 9 pm Mountain Time. The changes to Mega Millions will begin on April 5, 2025, and the first draw of the modified game will be on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
Players who purchase ten advance draws for both games will see that number reduced by 1 draw for each subsequent draw beginning with the draw on March 4, 2025.
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ABOUT THE IDAHO LOTTERY
The Idaho Lottery responsibly provides a variety of entertaining games featuring Powerball, Mega Millions, Scratch GamesTM, and PullTabs with a high degree of integrity to maximize the dividend for Idaho public schools and the permanent building fund. Since their inception in 1989, the Idaho Lottery has sold over $5.8 billion in products, awarded more than $3.7 billion in prizes to players, returned $342 million in retail commissions, and distributed $1.273 billion in Lottery dividends to Idaho public schools and buildings. To learn more, please visit www.idaholottery.com.
2025 CW Orofino Elementary
Date: February 2025
School: Orofino Elementary
Wish Delivered: Classroom Furniture
Teacher Brynn Knudson says "My students are extremely active this year and have very diverse needs. I have two wobble stools in my classroom that are benefitting students tremendously. Since I only have two I don't have enough to meet the needs of my students. Wobble stools, also known as balance stools, offer a unique seating option that can benefit a wide range of students, especially those with diverse learning styles and needs. The key benefit I have witnessed is significant improvement in focus and attention."
Wish Amount: $509.00
2025 CW Highland School District
Date: February 2025
School: Highland School District
Wish Delivered: Classroom Books
Teacher Kaleigh Poxleitner says "This will be my first year teaching literary studies (beginning in January) and we are lacking a supply of books beyond the boring classics. I want to be able to get multiple students interested in reading, and in order to do that, I need a larger variety of texts."
Wish Amount: $932.66
2025 CW Orofino Jr. Senior High
Date: February 2025
School: Orofino Jr. Senior High
Wish Delivered: Whiteboard and whiteboard supplies
Teacher Clarissa Beauregard says "I teach high school students ELA. We've been practicing more vertical learning, which is where they are working at white boards, standing and in groups. These groupings have immensely impacted the amount of buy-in, engagement, and critical thinking in all of my classes. We notoriously have low engagement throughout our school, but these vertical learning activities have proven that movement and allowing for more small group discussion and critical thinking increases student engagement."
Wish Amount: $393.85
Wishlist Items for Everyone
The Idaho Lottery made a special Classroom Wishlist visit to Syringa Middle School in Caldwell in January. The school’s instructional coach, Kristy Rudan, asked for “wish items” for each teacher in the school.
“Imagine having over 40 wounds on your body, but no gauze, nothing to pack it with to stop the bleeding. You have no idea which wound to treat, which one is more serious,” began Rudan using a medic’s triage metaphor to describe the situation her teachers face at Syringa. “There is so much need everywhere you look, and they all bleed together. What do you do? Where do you begin to treat the wounds? Welcome to my classroom!”
As a lead support staff for the school, Rudan’s “class” of “students” are the 40 teachers who instruct over 700 middle schoolers every day. She sees the need of every teacher and, for the Christmas season’s Wishlist requests, made a plea to the Idaho Lottery.
“My request is to make a single wish come true for each teacher in my “class”; each teacher that I support, and mentor, is in need of something for their classrooms. In some ways, it’s almost like playing Santa Claus–leaving one gift for each of our incredible educators to use to continue inspiring others,” she said.
The Lottery agreed and delivered something for everyone including flexible seating stools, a white board, an entire classroom set of headphones, a printer, and a 3-D printer, along with many other boxes of supplies and classroom needs.
“The request was large enough we needed a utility cargo van to deliver all the packages,” said David Workman, Idaho Lottery spokesman. “The Lottery was created to benefit public schools and improve education. This Classroom Wishlist was so unique. We were thrilled with the opportunity to make it come true.”
The total request delivered to Syringa Middle School had a value of more than $7,700.
2025 CW Rocky Mountain High
Date: January 2025
School: Rocky Mountain High
Wish Delivered: Rolling Whiteboards
Teacher Daniel Drlik says "Student Council is the lifeblood of a high school. We plan events, promote activities, recognize individuals, and build school culture. This year we have accomplished many awesome things. We have begun new traditions. For example, a Hoe Down dance where we invited a DJ and line dance instructors to show the students how to line dance. This is something that we want to continue. We also like to hype up our sporting events as well as other competitions such as concerts and performances by our various competitive organizations. However, we are limited in trying to stay organized. We have a class of over 80 students and communication is difficult. With these whiteboards, we would be able to stay more organized."
Wish Amount: $1050.00
2025 CW Canyon Springs Alternative
Date: January 2025
School: Canyon Springs Alternative
Wish Delivered: Math Supplies
Teacher Jamie Jamtaas says "We require clear backpacks within our school to promote a sense of safety and unity for our students. By showing other students there is nothing to hide it allows for the kids to focus fully on their education. However, many of our students come to us from different life situations that make it hard for them to get their own backpack. We want to be able to offer them this item upon entry into the school without any stress to them. Most of our students come to us with Math being the main course needed to graduate. Our calculators we currently use are so old and unreliable that for many students they need to rely on other resources to help them. We want to have working, readily accessible calculators for each math classroom so our students can again focus on their education and not on fixing the problem."
Wish Amount: $1391.00
Ricky Wachtel
Lori Muench
2025 CW Syringa Middle Rudan
Date: January 2025
School: Syringa Middle
Wish Delivered: Project Supplies
Teacher Kristy Rudan says "My request is to make a single wish come true for each teacher in my “class”; each teacher that I support and mentor is in need of something for their classrooms. In some ways, it’s almost like playing Santa Claus–leaving one gift for each of our incredible educators to use to continue inspiring others. The impact it will have is exponential, extending into the lives of 700 students. It’s an absolutely outside-the-box approach to a classroom wish list. It’s not traditional, I know. But not all classrooms look the same. What I do know is that the need is severe, hope needs to be restored, and I love and adore my “students” just the same as all teachers, so I’m here advocating for each of their greatest needs."
Wish Amount: $7785.44
Idaho Lottery Commission Approves Issuing Request for Proposal for Financial Audit Services
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BOISE, Idaho – During their regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, January 16, 2025, the Idaho Lottery Commission approved formally issuing a Request for Proposal for bids from prospective, interested, and qualified firms to submit proposals for financial auditing services for the Lottery.
Qualified respondents to the RFP have until 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time on Thursday, February 20, 2025, to provide the Idaho Lottery with written proposal submissions. A copy of the Financial Audit Services RFP may be downloaded from the Idaho Lottery’s website at https://www.idaholottery.com/p.....
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ABOUT THE IDAHO LOTTERY
The Idaho Lottery responsibly provides a variety of entertaining games featuring Powerball, Mega Millions, Scratch GamesTM, and PullTabs with a high degree of integrity to maximize the dividend for Idaho public schools and the permanent building fund. Since their inception in 1989, the Idaho Lottery has sold over $5.4 billion in products, awarded more than $3.1 billion in prizes to players, returned $317 million in retail commissions, and distributed $1.189 billion in Lottery dividends to Idaho public schools and buildings. To learn more, please visit www.idaholottery.com.
2025 CW Glenns Ferry Hill
Date: January 2025
School: Glenns Ferry
Wish Delivered: Photography equipment
Teacher Amy Hill says "As a teacher I am committed to enhancing the educational experience for my students and believe that incorporating modern technology, such as a high-quality digital camera, will be an invaluable tool in achieving this goal. The digital camera will allow students to engage in a variety of educational activities, including documenting projects, participating in creative photography assignments, and capturing moments during classroom events or field trips. These experiences will not only foster creativity but also help students build essential skills in digital literacy, visual storytelling, and multimedia presentation."
Wish Amount: $369.99
Lorie Galvin
Happy Tears
Sometimes, the simplest and smallest of wins are the most impactful. For Lorie Galvin, Payette, winning $1,777 on Triple 7s came at the best time. Lorie raises her three grandchildren. Budgets are tight. Having this win means they’ll be able to afford a few of the nicer “extras” in life.
“This means everything to me, to them,” said Lorie as she fought back the tears when she received her check. “Don’t worry, these are happy tears.”
Lorie bought her winning ticket at the Jacksons on Northside Boulevard in Nampa.
2025 CW Maple Grove Goodman
Date: January 2025
School: Maple Grove Elementary
Wish Delivered: Classroom seating
Teacher Tanya Goodman says "As our schools continue to emphasize the importance of student-centered learning in every classroom it is becoming apparent that traditional seating methods may not be the best fit for all students. Flexible seating in classrooms gives students a choice in what kind of environment they learn best in. When students are given choice in their learning, and their environment, they are more comfortable, invested, engaged, and excited to continue their learning journeys."
Wish Amount: $765.15
First Raffle Winners Claim Prizes, Two Large Prizes Remain Unclaimed
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BOISE, Idaho – The first $1,000,000 winner from the Idaho Lottery’s $1,000,000 Raffle has claimed their prize. Alberto Vega from Heyburn bought his winning ticket from the Maverik in Burley near Interstate 84.
“My family and I returned from vacation last night and I checked our Raffle tickets,” explained Alberto. “Most of them did not win. Then one said I had won. I checked the Lottery’s Instagram page and saw the big winning number matched my ticket!”
Alberto then told his wife they had won one of the big prizes. She looked at the ticket, then Instagram, and her heart began to race. She couldn’t believe it.
The long-time Magic Valley resident plans to put the winnings to good use for the future of his family and paying off his home.
For selling the winning ticket, Maverik will receive a commission from the Idaho Lottery of $20,000.
The second $1,000,000 prize remains unclaimed. That winning ticket was sold in Ada County.
The $10,000 winning ticket sold in Ada County has been claimed. Chad Gilmore from Eagle had his Raffle ticket in a collection of tickets he had purchased during the fall. A regular player, he visited the Lottery Offices in Boise one morning to check all his tickets. He was unaware one of his Raffle tickets had won $10,000 until it was scanned by Lottery’s Customer Service. “This is turning out to be a pretty great day! I had no idea I had one of the big winners,” he exclaimed.
Gilmore purchased his winning from the Jacksons on Ustick Road in Meridian.
The second $10,000 winning ticket sold in Cassia County remains unclaimed.
No one has contacted the Idaho Lottery regarding either of the two unclaimed prizes of $10,000 and $1,000,000.
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ABOUT THE IDAHO LOTTERY
The Idaho Lottery responsibly provides a variety of entertaining games featuring Powerball, Mega Millions, Scratch GamesTM, and PullTabs with a high degree of integrity to maximize the dividend for Idaho public schools and the permanent building fund. Since their inception in 1989, the Idaho Lottery has sold over $5.8 billion in products, awarded more than $3.7 billion in prizes to players, returned $342 million in retail commissions, and distributed $1.273 billion in Lottery dividends to Idaho public schools and buildings. To learn more, please visit www.idaholottery.com.
2025 CW South Fork Elementary Su
Date: January 2025
School: Southfork Elementary
Wish Delivered: Classroom Mailboxes
Teacher Junsong Su says "I teach two immersion Chinese classes in South Fork Elementary, each with approximately 25 students. The current cardboard mailboxes used for handing out graded work and school flyers are not very strong and have been used for long time, and now are breaking down and collapsing, this is causing significant inconvenience. We seek funding to replace these with two durable, long-lasting mailboxes. The budget for this project includes the cost of two durable mailboxes. New, durable mailboxes will greatly benefit our immersion Chinese classes by improving organization, student experience, and efficiency. We kindly request your support in funding this essential project."
Wish Amount: $188.78
Commission Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
2025 CW Ponderosa Elementary Olugin
Date: January 2025
School: Ponderosa Elementary
Wish Delivered: New Books
Teacher Jennifer Olugin says "I am seeking funding for chapter books and sets that cater to both girls and boys. These resources are vital for promoting vocabulary development, improving comprehension skills, and nurturing a lifelong passion for reading among my 2nd graders. These resources will include a diverse mix of fiction and biographies, providing students with engaging narratives and inspiring real-life stories. By sharing these materials with my 2nd grade team, I aim to create a rich literary environment that encourages all students to explore new ideas and perspectives, ultimately supporting their academic development and passion for literature. "
Wish Amount: $798.75
2025 CW Nampa High School Randolph
Date: January 2025
School: Nampa High School
Wish Delivered: Classroom Supplies
Teacher Jennifer Randolph says " My special education students have a number of physical and/or intellectual disabilities that prevented them from learning life skills readily. These life skills are necessary for supporting a family, running a household and being independent later in life. Without a doubt, functional life skills are skills that my students must acquire in order to live a better, more fulfilling life. Teaching life skills involves not only classroom teaching, but working with students in the “real world,” giving these students the skills they need to function. Our community partners and school district recently renovate a large classroom to replicate an apartment where students can learn and practice life skills in a real-life setting."
Wish Amount: $719.17
Chadwick Gilmore
Gordon Todd Helmer
Michael Miller
Maria Leon
Tereasa Wilson
Alan Poulson
2025 CW Peregrine Elementary Osler
Date: January 2025
School: Peregrine Elementary
Wish Delivered: Classroom Transformation
Teacher Lisa Osler says "Keeping learning fun by surprising kids with classroom transformations. A couple days a year, they will arrive at school... or so they thought! Their classroom will be transformed into a construction zone, donut shop, restaurant, or glow room! As they read about their projects and use their tools to solve challenges throughout the day, they will have the full, immersive experience They will have a chance to be an electrician, a framer, and a flooring installer as they use their area, perimeter, measurement and data skills. In another transformation, students will GLOW with the skills they have acquired over the year. The classroom will be decked out in neon with black lights to guide the way. Fifth graders are learning to love reading. Another day, they will find a restaurant with a book tasting to learn which genres please their palates. They will use their knowledge of decimals to create menus and calculate prices. Classroom makeover days renew the love of learning through project based learning."
Wish Amount: $1,784
2025 CW Victory Middle Bollinger
Date: January 2025
School: Victory Middle
Wish Delivered: Library Software
Teacher Melissa Bollinger says "I am the librarian at VMS and would like to “up my game” when it comes to the multiple reading challenges we facilitate each year by purchasing a software program called Beanstack (www.beanstack.com). Beanstack motivates readers with fun, diverse, and engaging reading challenges while strengthening the intrinsic motivation to read with proven gamification features. This software allows the librarian (or teachers) to create digital quizzes/forms/projects connected to reading and then reward individual students when they hit predetermined milestones (either # of pages read or possibly # of minutes read/day) with badges. You can also organize a building-wide goal to work toward, or even set up classroom competitions through Advisory classes or homerooms. There are truly SO MANY possibilities with this software to create a digital way to track reading and reward student efforts!"
Wish Amount: $2287
