Media-ready jpg image of Amanda Friend

Microsoft Word document of news release

DATE: September 10, 2009
CONTACT: Karie Lowe (785) 296-5744, karie.lowe@kslottery.net

21-Year-Old LaCygne Resident Wins $5,000 Top Prize

TOPEKA, KAN. – While at the store buying ingredients to make cookies on Monday, 21-year-old Amanda Friend decided to try her luck playing a few lottery tickets. The LaCygne resident purchased five $1 Double It instant scratch tickets, winning a $5,000 top prize on the second ticket she played.

“The first ticket I scratched was a $10 winner,” said Friend. “The second ticket I scratched was the $5,000 winner. When I realized I’d won $5,000, I let out a scream.”

Thankfully, Friend’s scream didn’t frighten anyone.

“Everyone working at the store knows me,” said Friend. “When I screamed, they came over to see what was going on. I explained that I thought I’d won $5,000. To be sure, they checked my ticket for me. When the machine read, ‘Claim ticket at Lottery,’ we knew for sure I’d won. Everyone jumped up and down with me.”

Once things settled down, Friend called her husband Chris with the good news.

“I didn’t believe her at first,” said Chris. “A little later, I played a prank on her. I called to say that I’d wrecked the car and it was good thing she’d won $5,000.”

Friend and her husband, who have been married three years, have an 18-month-old daughter. They plan to pay bills with their prize money.

The winning ticket was purchased at Stub’s Market, located at 602 E. Market in LaCygne.