Media-ready jpg image of Teran Holter

Microsoft Word document of news release

DATE: October 13, 2009
CONTACT: Karie Lowe (785) 296-5744, karie.lowe@kslottery.net

19-Year-Old Bonner Springs Resident Gets Birthday Surprise – Wins $10,000!

TOPEKA, KAN. – Teran Holter’s 19th birthday is one she’ll never forget. The Bonner Springs resident was given $50 worth of instant scratch tickets as a birthday gift from her parents. The actual gift would come later when Holter revealed a $10,000 top prize playing a $2 Sudoku instant scratch ticket!

“When I asked for lottery tickets for my birthday, I never expected to win such a big amount,” said Holter. “As soon as I scratched off one of my Sudoku tickets, I knew right away that I’d won big. My mom and I were sitting at the kitchen table, so I slid the ticket over to her. She about died when she realized it was a $10,000 winner.”

The excitement didn’t end there. Holter had a police escort when having her winning ticket verified at a local grocery store.

“My mom has her own daycare and my neighbor Kellee Sluder, who is a police officer, came to pick up her child when all the excitement started,” explained Holter. “She offered to go with me when I had my ticket checked. Once it was verified, I called all my friends and family. Only half of them believed me. I guess good news travels fast because before I knew it, everyone in town knew I’d won.”

To make sure her winning ticket was in a safe place, Holter put the ticket in the neighbor’s gun safe. The next day, Holter and her parents decided to keep it in a safe deposit box at their bank until they were able to make the trip to Topeka today.

Holter, who is a student at Kansas City Kansas Community College, plans to pay bills with her prize money.

The winning ticket was purchased at Woods Mini Mart 6, located at 413 E. Front St. in Bonner Springs.