lottery

Arlington Man Wins Virginia Lottery Game, Again

By Katie Pyzyk

One lucky Arlington man has a lot to celebrate, after winning $100,000 in the Virginia Lottery Cash 5 game — for the second time in three months.

Joseph Sylvester won the top prize for matching all five numbers in the daily drawing on July 3. He had done the same thing exactly three months earlier, on April 3.

Once he realized he had won again, Sylvester wasn’t fazed by the prospect of holding the big check in front of all those cameras.

“Gotta get my picture taken again,” Sylvester said. “The second time is a little more routine.”

Sylvester bought his latest winning ticket at the 7-Eleven at 1500 South Fern Street. He allowed the computer to randomly select the numbers on his ticket — 11, 15, 19, 26 and 27. The chances of a person winning the top prize of $100,000 are one in 278,256.

Sylvester hasn’t said yet what he’ll do with his new winnings. He used the money he won in April to pay bills and buy a new truck.

Arlington Teacher Named Va. Lottery “Super Teacher”

By ARLnow.com

Elizabeth Abraham, a second grade teacher at Arlington Science Focus School, was the surprise recipient of a Virginia Lottery “Super Teacher” award at a school-wide assembly yesterday.

Students, faculty, PTA representatives, school board members, Superintendent Dr. Patrick Murphy, and Del. Patrick Hope — along with Abraham’s husband and two children — were on hand when Abraham was told she was the first of eight teachers statewide who will receive the award this year.

Abraham will receive a $2,000 cash prize from the lottery, as well as $2,000 classroom supply credit.

“Beth’s commitment to students of all levels is unmistakable,” said Arlington Science Focus School PTA President Noah Simon. “Whether it is the differentiated guided reading groups she established or her firm yet supportive classroom management style, her students develop and keep the will to learn and excel.”

Simon also noted that Abraham has been working beyond her contract hours to help an at-risk student “whose behavior has not only improved, but is serving as an example classmates can follow.”

Funds raised by the Virginia Lottery provided more than $430 million last year for Virginia public schools, representing about 8 percent of state funding for public education.

Photo courtesy Frank Bellavia/Arlington Public Schools

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Arlington Woman Hits Lotto — An Arlington woman who won $1 million playing the Mega Millions game is expected to pick up her prize today. So far, the new millionaire’s identity is unknown. More from WTOP.

Arlington Schools to Get iPads — Arlington school officials are using a state grant to buy about 70 iPads. Meant to increase participation in a state “Beyond Textbooks” program, the grant will provide iPads to a fourth-grade social studies class at Drew Elementary and two world history classes at Washington-Lee High School. More from the Washington Examiner.

League of Women Voters to Hold Referendum Discussion — In the wake of this year’s unsuccessful attempt to change Arlington’s form of government by referendum, the League of Women Voters is holding a panel discussion entitled “Citizens Making Change in Arlington: How Does the Referendum Process Work, and Does It Work Well?” The talk is taking place at the Arlington Career Center main hall (816 S. Walter Reed Drive) from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Flickr pool photo by BrianMKA