Eastern Idaho schools scratch for Idaho Lottery’s cash

Thirty-two Eastern Idaho schools got a little richer Wednesday night at the Idaho Lottery’s Scratch for Schools event in Idaho Falls.

This year, a record 440 schools statewide are competing to scratch as many tickets as possible. Idaho Lottery spokesman David Workman said each school is given five minutes to scratch 300 tickets.

“Whatever winnings there are in that pack of tickets, the school gets to have,” said Workman. “If they advance to the final round, then they get another pack of tickets and they get to keep those tickets as well.”

With only five of the 32 schools moving on to the second round, that’s easier said than done.

Rimrock Elementary School counselor Lori Wickham has learned a thing or two since her last Scratch for Schools.

“Road rash on my knuckles, I had a hole in my knuckles that took months to heal,” said Wickham. “I taped them this year, I came prepared.”

It sure caught the attention of first-timers like Sydney Martin, a teacher at Snake River Middle School.

“I learned that I don’t know how to scratch lottery tickets,” said Martin.

Rimrock teachers not only came with a plan to win, they came with a plan for the cash. Principal Tina Orme said any bit helps.

“Just toner and copy paper are some of the things,” said Martin. “Some teachers have requested pencil sharpeners.”

The school walked away with $605, earning them the No. 1 spot in the state. Unlike the lottery’s dividend dollars that go to the districts, the Scratch for Schools winnings go right to the schools.

“The money is a little bit different in that it goes directly to the classroom,” said Workman. “It helps whatever needs they might have.”

The Idaho Lottery dished out just over $6,000 Wednesday night to Eastern Idaho Schools. Thursday night,another 32 schools will give it a try.