⚡️Spark for the Day

The world can be tiring, but even small victories matter. Today, focus on celebrating your progress, no matter how big or small. You are stronger than you think.

“I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)

Gilbert woman's lottery win recalls memories of her late husband

When Alice Risden scratched off the winning answers on her Iowa Lottery crossword game, the result brought more than a big monetary prize — it generated a rush of warm memories of her husband Gerald, who died in March.

Scratch tickets were one of the Risdens' hobbies during retirement. Gerald, who passed away at age 92, won a $2,500 lottery prize in 2019. His photo has been hanging on their refrigerator since.

“If he were here, he’d be happy because he always liked to see someone else win, too,” Alice Risden said in a news release.

Big money and big memories

Alice Risden won the top prize in the Iowa Lottery’s “$30,000 Crossword” scratch game. She is the 50th person to win the top prize in the crossword scratch game since its beginning.

Alice Risden bought her winning ticket at the Gilbert Casey's store, at 17005 U.S. Highway 69 in Story County.

The Gilbert resident said she buys the crossword games because they take longer to play. It allowed her and her late husband to spend more time together, each hoping to take down some prize money.

“That was our afternoon," Alice Risden said. "We’d sit at the counter and he’d go after them for both of us to get the same tickets, and yeah, it was something to do. When you retire, you can do that.”

Looking for clues

In the $30,000 Crossword game, players complete words with a given set of letters. The more words they finish, the more money they win.

The excitement built as Alice Risden worked her way through her most recent puzzle. The money kept rising, setting off a whirlwind of emotions.

“I thought I had $300, and then went, ‘Well, maybe a little bit more,’” Risden said. “Then I scanned it and it was $30,000. Amazing. I still am saying amazing.”

Alice Risden claimed her prize Friday at the Iowa Lottery headquarters in Clive.

She told lottery officials she plans to share her winnings with her daughter, son and grandson, but she’s "still trying to wrap her head around the big win."

When Alice Risden looked at the photo taken at the letter office, she laughed and thought "That’s not really me!”

She has a special place to hang the picture at home.

On the fridge, right next to her partner, Gerald.

“The picture is still on our refrigerator, so now, I can go right beside him,” Alice Risden said.

Source: Ames Tribune

Meet the boys, girls track and field nominees for the Iowa High School Sports Awards

The Iowa High School Sports Awards, presented by SCHEELS, is proud to announce the nominees for the Boys and Girls Track and Field Athletes of the Year. The winner will be announced during the live show to be held on June 10 at Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines.

The Boys and Girls Track and Field Athletes of the Year are sponsored by Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling.

The Iowa High School Sports Awards, one of 20 regional shows across the United States, is a nine-month student-athlete recognition program that will culminate at a red-carpet show this spring. The show will recognize athletes, coaches, and teams from across the state that play in sanctioned Iowa high school sports.

During the live show, these nominees will be honored, along with the player of the year for each of the 20 other recognized sports. The awards showcase will also feature other premier awards for both on- and off-the-field accomplishments of student-athletes, coaches and teams, including a Courage Award and Coaches of the Year, Teams of the Year, and the Boys and Girls Athlete of the Year awards.

Nominated athletes who RSVP will receive complementary tickets to the event at no charge, thanks to sponsors. Nominated athletes can register here.

Guests of nominated athletes can purchase tickets at this link.

Here are the nominees for Boys Track and Field Athletes of the Year, sponsored by Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling:

Jackson Belding, Ankeny — SR

Ian Blowe, Akron-Westfield — SR

Jaden Damiano, Iowa Falls-Alden — SR

Brevin Doll, ADM — SR

Aidan Jacobsen, Iowa City West — SR

Ryan Little, Albia — JR

Quentin Nauman, Western Dubuque — SO

T.Y. Pour, Cedar Rapids Prairie — JR

Ryce Reynolds, Mount Ayr — SR

Baylor Speidel, Lisbon — SR

Jayden Stafford, Mid-Prairie — JR

Ethan Zuber, Ankeny — JR

Here are the nominees for Girls Track and Field Athletes of the Year, sponsored by Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling:

Reese Brownlee, Clear Lake — JR

Ally Darter, Dubuque Hempstead — JR

Addison Dorenkamp, Valley — SR

Marissa Ferebee, Pella — SO

Emma Havighurst, Valley — JR

Kylee Hill, Burlington — FR

Tierney Huss, MOC-Floyd Valley — SR

Charlee Morton, Hampton-Dumont-CAL — JR

Ayrissa Robinson, Waukee Northwest — FR

Jaidyn Sellers, Panorama — SR

Noelle Steines, Tipton — JR

London Warmuth, ADM — JR

Source: Ames Tribune

Today’s Affirmation

"Today, I choose to focus on the good, and I release negativity. My strength and resilience will carry me through anything."

Always remember, nothing can stop you but you. If you believe it, then you can achieve it.

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