Program just the ticket for schools

SANDPOINT — It’s unlikely anyone has recently burned through more lottery tickets for a better cause than the Idaho Lottery school scratch-off Wednesday.

Teachers and school staff from 18 regional schools descended upon the Ponderay Holiday Inn to scratch as many tickets as humanly possible within a set period of time. All money won during the scratch-off went directly to fund school projects like library books, reader boards, science and technology improvements and playground safety repairs.

While everyone won from the frantic proceedings, teachers still attach a certain degree of friendly competition, according to lottery public information specialist David Workman. After all, the top performers get to advance to new rounds, which means an even greater chance for some big winnings. The fastest scratchers will take on a total pool of 900 lottery tickets per team if they advance through every round.

“It was just general mayhem,” Workman said.  

The school scratch-off event blends skill and luck for an all-around tense race. While the tactical edge goes to the team with the fastest scratchers, there’s no accounting for each lottery ticket’s value. Even a slowpoke might earn their team a victory with a rare $100 ticket, and sure enough, a couple of those high-value tickets popped up throughout the race, Workman said.  

Teams employed the time-tested technique of school spirit to gain a psychological edge over their opponents. Forrest M. Bird Charter School teachers, for instance, made themselves oversized lottery tickets to bolster their confidence. Other teams showed up in elaborate costumes featuring wings or similar accouterments.

Priest River Elementary proved to be the big winner at this year’s scratch-off, blazing through a total $472 in lottery winnings. Lake Pend Oreille High School came up next with $335, while Hope Elementary took third with $324. While only a handful of schools get the prestige of “fastest scratcher,” it’s tough to go home with hard feelings — between all 18 teams, the Idaho Lottery distributed about $3,700 to schools from Bonner and Boundary counties.

 “We were really pleased to have such a great turnout yesterday,” Workman said. “We’d love to get every school in the Panhandle out there for the event next year.”