COLUMBUS, Ohio — The winners of the fourth Vax-a-Million drawing— a woman from Findlay and a recent high school graduate from Cincinnati, shared their reactions with Gov. Mike DeWine during a news conference Thursday.
$1 million winner
Suzanne Ward from Findlay in Hancock County won the fourth $1 million prize. She ignored two calls from DeWine until someone from his office knocked on her door and told her she had won the $1 million.
"I didn't have any hesitation to get vaccinated when my age group came up," she said.
She told DeWine that the news is still sinking in that she won the $1 million. Ward said her plans for the money involving giving some to her family and also meeting with a financial planner and accountant for the best way to handle her newfound money.
College scholarship winner
Sean Horning from Cincinnati won the fourth student full-ride scholarship, including four years tuition, books, and room and board at a public university or college.
Horning said he was so excited and received about winning the college scholarship. He just graduated from Colerain High School and said he was going to take a year off to work and save money but now he doesn’t have to with the life-changing prize.
"I always knew it was the best for everyone. I encouraged my son to do it," said Sean's mother about any hesitation she felt about getting vaccinated.
The next and final drawing
The winners were announced Wednesday night.
“With one Ohio Vax-a-Million drawing remaining, I urge Ohioans who have yet to get the COVID-19 vaccine to get vaccinated and continue Ohio’s progress moving beyond this pandemic,” said DeWine.
There is one Ohio Vax-a-Million drawing remaining. The entry deadline for the final drawing is June 20, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.
With more than 5.3 million Ohioans who have started the vaccination process, not all who are eligible have entered. Ohio Vax-a-Million is an opt-in program, meaning you are not automatically entered. It takes less than two minutes to enter online at ohiovaxamillion.com. Those without Internet access can also enter by phone at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634). Opt-in entries were collected beginning May 18.
RELATED: Woman from Hancock County wins Ohio’s fourth Vax-a-Million drawing
Visit our Vaccinating Ohio page for the latest updates on Ohio's vaccination program, including links to sign up for a vaccine appointment, a map of nearby vaccination sites, a detailed breakdown of the state's current vaccine phase, and continuing local coverage of COVID-19 vaccines in Northeast Ohio.
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