ALBUQUERQUE – Margaret Yanaga of Elephant Butte won $50,000 playing the New Mexico Lottery’s “Platinum 9X” Scratcher.
A self-employed hairdresser, Yanaga played the game Wednesday before opening her salon. After revealing the prize, she called her husband.
“When I got there, she had tears coming down her face and she was shaking,” Tim Yanaga recalled for lottery officials in Albuquerque.
And her first appointment of the day wisely decided that scissors and shaking don’t mix.
“She said you’re definitely not cutting my hair today,” Yanaga joked.
Yanaga bought her lucky $5 ticket at the Fast Stop No. 50 located at 1910 N. Date St. in Truth or Consequences. This is Yanaga’s third lottery win in 11 years. Her previous winnings total $3250.
Legislative Lottery Scholarships
All net revenues from the sale of New Mexico Lottery games benefit a tuition-assistance program for New Mexico residents attending the state’s public colleges and universities. Since 1996, the lottery has raised nearly $580 million for education and more than 82,600 students have attended college on Legislative Lottery Scholarships. Approximately 315 students from Sierra County have received $2 million in Legislative Lottery Scholarships.
More information about Legislative Lottery Scholarships is available at www.nmlottery.com.