Ashland, Ohio – Lottery pools have long been a tradition in workplaces, bringing colleagues together with a shared dream of striking it big. At Crestview Elementary School in Ashland, a group of ten employees not only kept this tradition alive but chose to continue playing in honor of a beloved colleague who passed away. On August 6, their dedication and loyalty paid off in a remarkable way when they won $1,000,004 in the Powerball drawing.
The pool organizer, Karen, had purchased the winning auto-pick ticket at the Circle K in Seville. She recalled the surreal moment of discovering their win. “I was talking to my daughter on the phone, and I was like I think we won a million dollars! I started texting everyone and they were like no way, no way, and so they checked the numbers themselves, and they were like, we did win!” Karen said.
Honoring Mary Jo’s Memory
Among the members of the pool was their late co-worker, Mary Jo, a longtime kindergarten teacher at the school. After her passing from cancer, the group decided they would continue playing in her honor, contributing her portion every time.
“She’s been our guardian angel. She taught kindergarten here for years, and she was in the original group so we couldn’t leave her out. We’ve been paying all that time and for her too, so that makes it even sweeter,” Karen explained.
When the prize was claimed, the group ensured Mary Jo’s family was included. Her portion of the winnings was given to her children, a touching gesture that showed just how much she remained a part of their team spirit.
Sharing the Prize and Looking Ahead
After mandatory state and federal taxes, each winner will take home about $72,000. The lucky school employees have varied plans for their windfall, ranging from buying new cars to paying down mortgages.
Despite the life-changing prize, the group has no plans to stop. They agreed they will continue to play together, carrying forward the memory of their friend and the joy of their shared victory. As Karen and her colleagues see it, lightning can strike again—and when it does, they’ll be there as a team.
