Iowa Lottery Winner Yolanda Bennett Claims $10,000 Prize with Mega Crossword Ticket

Yolanda Bennett, a 55-year-old resident of Iowa, experienced a thrilling surprise after a long day at work. Her boyfriend had purchased several $100,000 Mega Crossword tickets for her, and she eagerly began scratching them the following day, as revealed in a recent news release by the Iowa Lottery on May 30.

Initially, Bennett believed that she had won a modest $100 prize. However, when she used her lottery app to scan the ticket, she discovered an even greater fortune awaiting her. Overwhelmed with shock, she cleared the scan and tried multiple times to ensure the accuracy of her win, exclaiming, "There’s no way!"

Officials confirmed that Bennett's prize was actually $10,000, leaving her in a state of disbelief and excitement. She wasted no time sharing the news with her boyfriend, sending him screenshots of her prize. Even then, he couldn't believe it at first, prompting Bennett to assure him that she was not lying.

The thrill of her victory continued to keep Bennett awake that night. She recounted, "I had a hard time sleeping that night. It was like I couldn’t believe it. I kept looking at the ticket, going, ‘I can’t believe I won $10,000!’"

With her newfound fortune, Bennett has exciting plans in mind. She intends to allocate some of the prize money towards finishing the renovations on a house she plans to sell. 

Additionally, she eagerly anticipates the arrival of her grandchildren for a two-week vacation in June and intends to make it a memorable experience for them.

The winning ticket was purchased by Bennett's boyfriend at Kwik Star in Maquoketa, located approximately 60 miles east of Cedar Rapids. Yolanda Bennett's unexpected win serves as a reminder of the joy and possibilities that lottery games can bring into people's lives.