One in five million. That’s the chance of matching five of six numbers in the Powerball jackpot.
And that’s exactly what some Seminole County Public School teachers did Wednesday night, winning a million dollar jackpot.
The school district confirms seven of the nine people who pooled together to buy the ticket, work at Bentley Elementary in Sanford.
Students there say it’s all anyone has talked about all day.
“Everybody is so happy and proud,” said student Daniel Reid. “They work very hard, and it’s kind of like a raise.”
Florida Lottery officials said the winning Match 5 ticket was bought at a Lake Mary Publix Wednesday night, just before the drawing. So far no one has come forward to claim the ticket.
Parents we talked to say the teachers who won deserve it.
“They do it from the heart, they do it because they love the kids," said parent Omayra Lopez. "They want to see them learn, they want to see them grow. So I think they deserve it because they don’t do it for the money they do this out of love.”
But they hope despite the winnings, their children’s teachers will stay on the job.
“I do hope so," Lopez said. "But if they decide to retire, they earned it.”
The school district is not releasing the names of the lucky winners. So far, they want to stay out of the public spotlight.
There were only two Match 5 winning tickets nationwide, the one in Florida and one other in New York. No one matched all 6 numbers.
That means Saturday’s Powerball jackpot now grows to $80 million.