Washington Couple Claims $55 Million Mega Millions Jackpot! Couple "had a feeling" they held the winning ticket
OLYMPIA- Sommay Rattanakone (pronounced So-My Rah-tan-ah-cone) and his wife Xia (See-ah) Rattanakone both had a feeling they may be holding the winning ticket for the $55 million dollar Mega Millions drawing from Tuesday, October 17, 2006. The couple from North Bend purchased their Mega Millions ticket at the North Bend Safeway store and picked up a winning numbers report to confirm what their gut told them, that they were the winners of the second largest jackpot ever won in Washington State.
52-year-old Sommay returned home from work with the winning numbers report the day after the drawing, but wanted to take a nap before checking the numbers. Xia had another idea, she couldn't wait. "I heard her scream, 'We won!'" said Sommay; naptime was over. The couple spent the next few hours in disbelief talking about their big win. "I couldn't sleep," said Xia Rattanakone. "I woke up at 4am the next morning. We couldn't believe it. I prayed for this. It is a dream come true," she said. The couple turned in their winning ticket at the Lottery's Seattle office on Monday, October 23, 2006.
The windfall means the couple can retire early. Sommay works for Seattle Public Schools as a bi-lingual instructional assistant and Xia is temporarily employed by Nintendo. In addition, the couple plans to donate to an orphanage that has special meaning for them. "We plan on helping the Catholic orphanage in Laos. It was where Xia was raised before she was adopted and brought to the United States," said Sommay. The couple also plans to travel to Laos where Xia will search for her family history. "I don't know my parents. That is my wish to find them," she said tearfully.
In addition, the couple plans on investing in a new home, a new car and putting aside money for their two children's college education.
WASHINGTON'S LOTTERY Washington's Lottery was established in 1982 and has generated over $2 billion to the Student Achievement Fund, Education Construction Account, State General Fund, and stadium debt reduction commitments. In FY '06, Washington's Lottery contributed over $102 million to education in Washington State. Washington's Lottery offers consumers six types of games: Mega Millions, Lotto, Quinto, The Daily Game, Daily Keno, and Scratch.
Washington Couple Claims $55 Million Mega Millions Jackpot! Couple "had a feeling" they held the winning ticket
OLYMPIA- Sommay Rattanakone (pronounced So-My Rah-tan-ah-cone) and his wife Xia (See-ah) Rattanakone both had a feeling they may be holding the winning ticket for the $55 million dollar Mega Millions drawing from Tuesday, October 17, 2006. The couple from North Bend purchased their Mega Millions ticket at the North Bend Safeway store and picked up a winning numbers report to confirm what their gut told them, that they were the winners of the second largest jackpot ever won in Washington State.
52-year-old Sommay returned home from work with the winning numbers report the day after the drawing, but wanted to take a nap before checking the numbers. Xia had another idea, she couldn't wait. "I heard her scream, 'We won!'" said Sommay; naptime was over. The couple spent the next few hours in disbelief talking about their big win. "I couldn't sleep," said Xia Rattanakone. "I woke up at 4am the next morning. We couldn't believe it. I prayed for this. It is a dream come true," she said. The couple turned in their winning ticket at the Lottery's Seattle office on Monday, October 23, 2006.
The windfall means the couple can retire early. Sommay works for Seattle Public Schools as a bi-lingual instructional assistant and Xia is temporarily employed by Nintendo. In addition, the couple plans to donate to an orphanage that has special meaning for them. "We plan on helping the Catholic orphanage in Laos. It was where Xia was raised before she was adopted and brought to the United States," said Sommay. The couple also plans to travel to Laos where Xia will search for her family history. "I don't know my parents. That is my wish to find them," she said tearfully.
In addition, the couple plans on investing in a new home, a new car and putting aside money for their two children's college education.
WASHINGTON'S LOTTERY Washington's Lottery was established in 1982 and has generated over $2 billion to the Student Achievement Fund, Education Construction Account, State General Fund, and stadium debt reduction commitments. In FY '06, Washington's Lottery contributed over $102 million to education in Washington State. Washington's Lottery offers consumers six types of games: Mega Millions, Lotto, Quinto, The Daily Game, Daily Keno, and Scratch.
Dam!! why not me i have been buying the tickets two times a week but not even close!!! but that is long time agoes was on 2006!! i am the next winner 2011 hop fully.
-- Edited by taxi on Tuesday 7th of December 2010 10:51:26 PM
Don't you know there are many Lao self made millionairs in the US, Europe and Australia that is not too bad for Lao people whom came to the different countries with nothing and became self made millionairs . .Also there are over 58 Lao multimillionaires in Laos (US dollars). Who is the richest Laotian in the world? Who is the richest man in the world ?Who is the richest woman in the world ? Who is the richest baby in the world ? Who is the richest king in the world ?
-- Edited by Dark Angel on Wednesday 8th of December 2010 11:30:20 AM
