Kindergartener is one lucky duck - entered in drawing for $100,000 in tuition!

Posted on Apr 27, 2009

MILFORD, CT, April 27, 2009 - For being one of the top duck sellers for the Milford Catholic Elementary Schools’ second annual Duck Race to take place on May 3, kindergartener Leala “Paige” Harris of Milford was awarded a raffle ticket that could lead to her winning $100,000 in tuition to attend any accredited K-12, college or graduate school in the United States.

The prize money can be designated to be used by up to two students. Eligible expenses include tuition, room and board, books and other school-related fees, with the prize money paid directly to the school.

To win her ticket, Paige sold so many ducks that she raised more than $500 to benefit Milford’s three Catholic elementary schools - St. Mary, St. Ann and her own St. Gabriel. Paige and her parents were happy to receive the ticket from Lauralton Hall President Barbara Griffin. Her mom, Dionne, said that she hopes Paige will one day attend Lauralton.  “We would definitely like Paige to go to Lauralton for her high school years,” Dionne said.

Just 2,500 tickets are being sold for the $100,000 tuition raffle, with the winning ticket to be pulled at 8:00 p.m. on May 14, at Lauralton Hall. The winner does not need to be present to win.

Tickets can be purchased at the school at 200 High St. weekdays between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. by using cash, check or credit card. Or, call (203) 877-2786, ext. 121.

Tickets will also be sold at two local events:
* On Sunday, May 3, at 11 a.m., at the Milford Duck Race at Fowler Field
* On Wednesday, May 6, at 7:30 p.m., at the Lauralton Hall Spring Concert at Parson’s Complex in Milford

Although the raffle is being held as a fund-raiser for Lauralton Hall, the fact that the prize can be used for any student to attend any accredited school makes it an exciting community event.

“We view the raffle as a great way to support both Lauralton’s mission and education in general,” Mrs. Griffin said. “We hope it might help someone go to a school he or she could not have otherwise afforded, offering a win-win opportunity.”

The winner has up to four years to name the student or students who will receive the tuition funding, which may include the winner himself, family members or friends. The winner may also choose to view the raffle prize as a philanthropic opportunity, requesting that a specific educational institution recommend appropriate students to receive the award.

Although the winnings need to be spent over four consecutive years, payments do not need to commence until the student or students are ready to use the funds. That means depending on who wins the raffle, the funds may be used right away or held for several years.

If Paige wins and her parents decide to allocate the money for college, they will be using the funds after she graduates high school as a member of the Class of 2021.