Teachers’ Lottery Win Becomes a Touching Tribute to Departed Colleague

In a heartwarming story of friendship and loyalty, a group of ten educators from Crestview Elementary in Ashland, Ohio recently transformed their $1 million Powerball win into a meaningful tribute to a beloved colleague. The teachers’ lottery pool, which had been running for six years, struck gold on August 6 when their ticket matched all five white balls, resulting in a $1,000,004 prize. What makes this win particularly poignant is that the group had continued to play the lottery in memory of Mary Jo Manocchio, a 60-year-old kindergarten teacher who passed away from cancer in March 2021. In a touching display of devotion, the remaining members had been covering Manocchio’s share of the lottery tickets for years following her death, ensuring she remained part of their weekly tradition even after she was gone. This win came during an extended Powerball jackpot drought that has now pushed the grand prize to a staggering $1.8 billion for upcoming drawings, making the teachers’ story stand out amid the lottery frenzy.

“She was a good friend,” shared Karen Rader, a retired art teacher who had organized the lottery pool for the past six years. “Makes me get a little weepy. She loved her kids, her own children and she loved the children that she taught.” The sentiment reflects the deep personal connections that bound this group together beyond their professional relationships at Crestview Elementary. Rader described the moment of discovery with genuine excitement, recalling how she was enjoying her morning coffee when she scanned their ticket and realized they had won. “I was talking to my daughter on the phone, and I was like, I think we won a million dollars!” she exclaimed to lottery officials. The news spread quickly as Rader texted everyone in the group – whom she had optimistically saved in her phone as “future millionaires.” Her colleagues initially responded with disbelief, checking the numbers themselves before the reality of their good fortune began to sink in.

The winning ticket, purchased at a Circle K gas station in Seville, represented a dramatic change of luck for the group. Prior to this life-changing moment, their biggest win had amounted to just a few dollars over their six years of playing together. The diverse pool of winners includes not just teachers but also a custodian and a guidance counselor, highlighting the sense of community that exists among the school’s staff. For years, they had faithfully contributed to the weekly lottery pool, building camaraderie through their shared hope for a big win. After taxes, each member will receive approximately $72,000 – a substantial sum that many plan to use for practical purposes like paying off mortgages or purchasing new vehicles, though the most meaningful aspect of their windfall has nothing to do with material gains.

Perhaps the most touching element of this lottery win is what the group decided to do with Mary Jo Manocchio’s portion of the prize. In a gesture that speaks volumes about their affection for their departed colleague, the teachers arranged for Manocchio’s share to go to her four adult children. The family is considering using the unexpected inheritance for a memorial or a family trip in her honor – something that would have special significance to their mother. “Because that is what Mary Jo would have loved,” Rader explained. “To have her family together.” This thoughtful allocation of the winnings transforms what could have been simply a stroke of good luck into a meaningful tribute that extends Manocchio’s legacy and provides her family with an opportunity to celebrate her life in a way she would have appreciated.

The story of these Ohio educators resonates deeply because it illustrates how Manocchio continued to be present in the hearts and minds of her colleagues long after her passing. Members of the group referred to her as their “guardian angel,” suggesting a belief that she somehow played a role in their good fortune from beyond. This sentiment reflects a common human tendency to find meaning and connection in coincidences, especially when they bring unexpected joy following a period of loss. The lottery win came more than two years after Manocchio’s death, during which time her friends had faithfully maintained her place in their weekly ritual – not out of any expectation of financial reward, but simply as a way to honor her memory and keep her spirit present in their lives.

In a world often dominated by stories of division and self-interest, this tale from a small elementary school in Ohio serves as a reminder of the power of community and lasting friendship. What makes this story particularly affecting is not just the financial windfall, but the way these educators transformed their good fortune into an opportunity to celebrate the values that Manocchio embodied – love of family, dedication to children, and the importance of meaningful human connections. As each member of the group decides how to use their portion of the winnings, they carry forward not just the monetary value of their prize but also the valuable lesson that true wealth lies in the relationships we build and the impact we have on others’ lives. Mary Jo Manocchio’s influence clearly extended far beyond her classroom, touching colleagues who considered her not just a coworker but a dear friend worthy of remembrance and honor even in her absence.