Million-dollar lottery jackpot revives college dream for Brooklyn woman

Dec 21, 2012, 7:12 am (21 comments)

New York Lottery

Hard times forced Linza Ford to drop out of college, but a $1 million lottery jackpot has revived her educational dreams.

The 19-year-old Brooklyn woman was one of 10 lucky New Yorkers who collected oversized checks Thursday totaling $13 million in lottery winnings.

Ford had just completed her freshman year at Hofstra University when her dad had to go on disability and her family was forced to make sacrifices.

With money tight, Ford put her goals of earning a degree in psychology or social work on hold and took a job at Best Buy to help make ends meet.

"I didn't want to leave," she said. "That's one of the colleges I really wanted to go to. I was sobbing."

But her sorrow turned to joy last month when she took a break from doing the laundry and bought a Million Dollar Scratch ticket at Prabhu Grocery Store near her Bensonhurst home.

"I did not believe it. I looked at it, I'm like 'No, no, not me,'" said Ford, who had been mulling joining the Air Force. "When I finished I went home and I showed my mom. I think she freaked out more than I did."

She immediately realized what her reversal of fortune meant.

"I didn't finish school, but now I can go back," said Ford, who will receive 20 annual payments of $50,000, or $31,152 after withholding.

"I don't know if I can get financial aid now," she joked.

New York Lottery spokesman Ralph Buckley doled out the ceremonial prizes at the Lottery's headquarters in Harlem to Ford and nine other new millionaires.

Michael Reitan, 31, of Rego Park, Queens, says he won't totally believe he won until he sees those extra zeros show up in his bank account.

Reitan is waiting before making any extravagant purchases.

"I'm not going to do anything yet. Once it's in my account, then I'll go shopping," said Reitan, a customer and border protection officer at JFK airport.

Reitan, whose winning scratch-off ticket guarantees him a gross of $260,000 for the rest of his life, will net $172,068 annually after tax.

"I'm 31 now, so hopefully I'll live until I'm 231," said the fortuitous bachelor, who plans to keep working.

"I've got 14 years until retirement. But I'm not going to do overtime ever again," said Reitan.

Reminiscing about the glorious moment that changed his life, Reitan said he was alone in his apartment when he scratched the ticket he bought at the Lucky Corner in Rego Park.

"They say when a tree falls in the forest it doesn't make a sound. I'll tell you when a lottery winner scratches it off by themselves, they make sounds," Reitan said.

While he's not rushing out to spend his winnings, Reitan does have his heart set on a few luxuries. A devoted Jets fan, he wants to buy tickets for the 2014 Super Bowl at MetLife stadium.

Other $1 million winners were Linda Dixon of the Bronx; George Osorio of the Bronx; Catherine and John Passarella of Brooklyn; Anthony Pallone of Brooklyn; Alexander Change of Manhattan; Brian Egan of Manhattan; and Kenneth Isaac of Queens.

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Comments

Nikkicute's avatarNikkicute

That's a Blessing for her, now she can finish school and graduate debt free!!Smile

I think it was smart of her to take the annual payments as well, keep money

coming in for while.

dallascowboyfan's avatardallascowboyfan

Congratulations Ms. Ford......Thumbs Up

CinCin

LOVE reading stories like this. Good for her!! Congratulations Ms. Ford!!

Original Bey's avatarOriginal Bey

The MIRACLE is in the timing!

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

Quote: Originally posted by Nikkicute on Dec 21, 2012

That's a Blessing for her, now she can finish school and graduate debt free!!Smile

I think it was smart of her to take the annual payments as well, keep money

coming in for while.

Thumbs UpI Agree!

jamella724

Linza Ford will truly have a better future knowing that going back to college will be her outmost goal in life after winning that $1million.  I adore her for she knew how valuable education is. Congratulations Linza and may you also reach your dream of becoming a Psychologist or Social Worker.

rdgrnr's avatarrdgrnr

I was hopin' to see Rosie's name on that list.

Cletu$2's avatarCletu$2

Michael Reiten is 31 years old,hopes to live to be 231 years old and is going to retire in 14 years,at age 45? Something tells me that he is going to be in for at least two surprises in life.$260,000 doled out over 20 years isn't going to go far.

Long Odds

Quote: Originally posted by Cletu$2 on Dec 21, 2012

Michael Reiten is 31 years old,hopes to live to be 231 years old and is going to retire in 14 years,at age 45? Something tells me that he is going to be in for at least two surprises in life.$260,000 doled out over 20 years isn't going to go far.

will net $172,068 annually after tax.

From NYL website: Reitan purchased his jackpot winning Set For Life ticket at Lucky Corner on 63rd Drive in Rego Park. The top prize on the Set For Life ticket guarantees a minimum payout of $5,000,000 to be paid over 20 years. Reitan will receive his $5,000,000 in 19 annual payments of $260,000 (net $172,068) and one additional payment of $60,000 (net $39,708). After that, he will continue to receive an annual net payment of $172,068 for the rest of his life. Reitan plans to use a portion of his winnings to help out his family and go to the Super Bowl in 2014.

Cletu$2's avatarCletu$2

Quote: Originally posted by Long Odds on Dec 21, 2012

will net $172,068 annually after tax.

From NYL website: Reitan purchased his jackpot winning Set For Life ticket at Lucky Corner on 63rd Drive in Rego Park. The top prize on the Set For Life ticket guarantees a minimum payout of $5,000,000 to be paid over 20 years. Reitan will receive his $5,000,000 in 19 annual payments of $260,000 (net $172,068) and one additional payment of $60,000 (net $39,708). After that, he will continue to receive an annual net payment of $172,068 for the rest of his life. Reitan plans to use a portion of his winnings to help out his family and go to the Super Bowl in 2014.

Okay,I missread it.But,he's still going to be in for one surprise,he ain't going to live to be 231 years old!Unless he is related to Methusala.

HaveABall's avatarHaveABall

Yeah, more big lottery jackpot winners; congratulations everyone!  Party

dpoly1's avatardpoly1

Good for her! Congrats!

Dance

Artist77's avatarArtist77

Quote: Originally posted by jamella724 on Dec 21, 2012

Linza Ford will truly have a better future knowing that going back to college will be her outmost goal in life after winning that $1million.  I adore her for she knew how valuable education is. Congratulations Linza and may you also reach your dream of becoming a Psychologist or Social Worker.

I Agree!

 

Ms. Ford may end up saving lives one day.

haymaker's avatarhaymaker

Quote: Originally posted by Artist77 on Dec 21, 2012

I Agree!

 

Ms. Ford may end up saving lives one day.

Quite possible, everything happens for a reason !

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