By Stephanie Samuel

Sentinel Staff Writer

Down and out, unemployed and struggling to keep up with school, the lottery might sound like a long shot. But for Oxon Hill resident Chanetia Prophet, 31, the lottery came through in a very big way: After sending in six entries of the Maryland Lottery scratch-off tickets, Prophet turned up being the million-dollar winner.

Prophet could hardly believe it when she walked into the Winner's Lounge of the Maryland Lottery Headquarters last Wednesday. "I'm still so overwhelmed. I'm still looking at the big check they gave me," she said. Prophet said received a call about her entries and was told that she was a finalist.

Lottery Agency spokeswoman Carole Everett said, "We didn't want to tell her." Instead they showed her with flashing camera lights, lots of applause and news crews. "She was such a wonderful winner. She came with her mom, she cried and then she left. She was so surprised," Everett said.

Prophet won playing the Set For Life scratch-off. Players purchase scratch-off tickets in order to spell out the word "life." Once they have all four letters, players mail in their tickets in order to win big, $1 million spread out over 20 years. Prophet was randomly selected out of 93,000 entries.

For Prophet, the win couldn't have come at a better time. She had been unemployed for several months and just recently started her assistance manager position with Rite Aid pharmacy and store. The day she was told she was the winner, Prophet said she almost did not come because her manager was not sure he could let her go on. But Prophet made it and now she has some big plans.

"I just want to be normal, but I feel this is a an opportunity. There's no excuse not to be debt free and finish school," she says.

Prophet plans to go back to her studies at Strayer University. "I'm setting aside money to pay off my student loans and I'm setting aside money to go to school," she said. Prophet had previously taken classes toward a Bachelor's Degree in business administration. However, now she plans to focus on human resources and says she only has 13 classes left.

She also has a special gift for mom, Gloria Prophet, helped support her when she was going through a hard time. "She helped me maintain my bills and keep us afloat," she said. Now she wants to move herself and her mom out of their apartment and into a house. Prophet plans to keep her job, but is very excited about the money. Prophet has been looking at houses and says a move will happen sooner rather than later.

Prophet has yet to decide if she wants to get $1,000 a week for 20 years or a lump sum payment. Before she decides, Prophet says she is getting some help. "I'm meeting with a friend who works in finance and she's going to help me along," Prophet said.

Maryland Lottery Agency has already rolled out Set For Life 2 where players purchase scratch offs to spell out "C-A-S-H." This time, three players will have the opportunity to win the top prize of $700,000.

Contact Stephanie Samuel at

ssamuel@thesentinel.com

Photo courtesy Maryland State Lottery Agency