Northern Virginia mom wins 20th anniversary sweepstakes
"You’ve got to be kidding me!" was Roxanne’s response to learning she had won Virginia529’s 20th anniversary prePAID sweepstakes.
Her husband John and coworkers questioned the telephone call’s legitimacy. But to her family’s surprise and delight, Roxanne had indeed won the giveaway of four years of in-state tuition at a Virginia public university. Because her children are above ninth grade, the maximum for enrollment in prePAID, she received the prize value in an inVEST account.
Roxanne and John started saving with Virginia529 soon after the birth of their second child. Son Paul is now a college sophomore studying political science. Daughter Téa, still in high school, is thinking about becoming a teacher for students with special needs.
With the prize such a new part of their savings picture, they haven’t decided yet how to use the funds. Paul and Téa may apply them to graduate school costs. Another possibility is John pursuing education for a second career after he retires from the military.
"Saving with Virginia and, especially, winning this prize have given all of us options," said John.
Roxanne is amazed that she was chosen from among the more than 30,000 sweepstakes entries. "I’ve never won anything like this before," she shared, her voice carrying traces of her continued disbelief.
Congratulations, Roxanne and family!