LANSING, November 24, 2008 – When 23-year-old Lauren Harden checked her Mega Millions ticket on the Lottery’s Web site, she was “excited” to learn she won a $10,000 prize. The lucky teacher matched four white ball numbers and the gold Mega ball number to win the prize.

The Livonia woman “randomly” picked her own numbers on the winning ticket. Harden plans to use her money on an apartment, a new car and a vacation. In her free time, she enjoys playing poker and spending time with her family.

The lucky winning ticket was purchased at In N Out Food Store #8, 687 University Dr., in Pontiac.

Mega Millions is a multi-state lottery game in Michigan, California, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Virginia and Washington. Wagers cost $1 each and tickets may be purchased at nearly 11,000 Michigan Lottery retailers statewide.

Over 95 cents of every dollar spent on Lottery tickets is returned to the state in the form of contributions to the state School Aid Fund, prizes to players and commissions to retailers. In fiscal year 2008, the contribution to schools was over $740 million. Since its inception in 1972, the Lottery has contributed more than $15 billion to education in Michigan.

For additional information, please visit the Lottery’s Web site at https://www.michiganlottery.com/.

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