2002 4th Quarter Press Releases: Article

SACRAMENTO — California Lottery's "The Big Spin®" show airs Saturday, October 5, 2002, in twelve television markets statewide. Contestants on this week's show win a total of $150,000.

Assemblymember Sally Havice presented Gayla Rudolph-Emerson with the California Lottery's Exceptional Educator Award on "The Big Spin" show. Assemblymember Havice explains, "Gayla is a chemistry and physics teacher at Sussman Middle School in Downey. Her extensive career in education includes holding notable positions as department chair and mentor teacher, serving on numerous curriculum and textbook committees."

Rudolph-Emerson's most proud contribution is her role in revamping the way science is taught throughout the school district. In addition to expanding the science curriculum from one semester to a full-term course, Rudolph-Emerson also designed, built, and implemented the district's first physical science lab. This lab has become the model for future labs in other schools. Her students now have access to state-of-the-art technology that provides them with the best education. Havice concluded, "Gayla, for your 30-plus year commitment to California's students, it is my pleasure to proclaim you an Exceptional Educator."

Batsaikhan Chimed

The Spin-Spin-Spin contestant on this week's show is Batsaikhan Chimed, a pizza delivery driver from Concord who wins $60,000. Chimed explained, "I plan to bank this money." Chimed purchased his ticket at M & M Mini Market in Concord. Chimed bought a "Big Spin" Scratchers® ticket which revealed three "SPIN" symbols on one ticket, that ticket entitled Batsaikhan to a direct trip to the prize wheel.

"Weekly Payday Raceway" contestant, Lupe Gonzales, a housewife from San Jose, will progress to the final round of play for a chance to win $2,000 a week for 20 years; winning a total grand prize of over $2 million. Gonzales purchased her lucky ticket at Save Max Foods in Sacramento. On this week's show, six contestants competed in the first preliminary round of the game moving simulated racecars along a racetrack. Of the six, one contestant, Gonzales, moved on to the final round of play. Other "Weekly Payday Raceway" contestants won a combined total of $17,500 with prizes ranging from $2,500 to $5,000.

Maria Mendez

The contestant that wins a chance to spin the prize wheel from the California Gold elimination round is Maria Mendez from Reseda, who wins $50,000. "I plan to buy a house with my winnings," said Mendez. Mendez purchased her lucky ticket at Kwik Stop Liquor in Reseda. The second runner-up from this California Gold round is Daniel Ravinsky, a professor from Marino, who wins $5,000.

The California Lottery sells its products through a network of more than 18,000 outlets statewide. The Lottery provides 52 percent of its revenues to players as prizes, 34.7 percent to public schools and 13.3 percent for administrative expenses, which includes 6.8 percent for retailer commissions. Since 1985, the Lottery has raised more than $13 billion for public schools. The Lottery's contribution equals approximately 2 percent of the state's total education budget. "The Big Spin®" is the longest running Lottery game show in the country, airing continuously since 1985.