Judith M. Powell of Essexville claims $1 million from the 09/13/2012 “Play It Again” $1,000,000 Giveaway. (Photo Courtesy of the Michigan Lottery.)

On Thursday, September 13 Judith M. Powell became Michigan’s latest millionaire! The Essexville woman won the Michigan Lottery’s “Play It Again” $1,000,000 Giveaway!

Powell competed against two other contestants, Evelyn Welch of L’Anse and Robert Helmink of Wyoming. In a show that is called “the richest three minutes in television,” the players rolled virtual dice and the highest score won.

The three finalists were chosen from more than 9,888,000 entries for the opportunity to win the $1,000,000 prize. Players qualified for the Second-Chance event by entering non-winning Lottery tickets into their Player’s Club account at michiganlottery.com. For every $10 worth of non-winning tickets entered, the player earned one entry into the contest. Three separate finalist drawings were held on December 14, 2011, April 4, and August 8 with one finalist being chosen from each drawing.

Powell was nervous and excited before the show, saying she felt “lucky.” After her win, she couldn’t contain her excitement; she jumped for joy, hugged family and couldn’t stop smiling. “This is wonderful, Powell said, especially since I didn’t believe it when the Lottery first called me.” Powell thought she was being scammed when she was contacted by phone after winning the drawing to become the third finalist eligible to compete for the prize. “I didn’t really believe it until I got the e-mail from the Lottery.”

Powell plans to use her winnings to purchase a new vehicle, pay debts, help her daughter, and save for retirement. And she doesn’t intend to quit her day job. “My boss asked me if I was going to quit now that I’ve won a million. I told him, ‘absolutely not,’ I’ll be there on Monday.”.”