Vladislava Milutinovic | Reporter
Jan. 11, 2016; 2 p.m.

With the largest Powerball prize ever being drawn Wednesday night, Lindenwood students and faculty are buying lottery tickets for a chance at their dream life.

“First I would pay off all of my family’s medical bills, my house and donate to some of my favorite charities,” said cafeteria faculty member Julie Fessler.

“I could never quit working at Lindenwood though,” she said. “I would miss all of the students’ wonderful smiles.”

The Powerball jackpot had reached $1.5 billion by Tuesday and was continuing to climb, meaning for starters, the winner would not have to work another day in his or her life. Although lottery officials have reported the chances of winning are only 1 in 292 million, that has not stopped people from buying the tickets.

“If I win I would give some of the money to my kids and siblings, ” said Pedestal employee Michelle Ficher. “A lot of the money would go to Children’s Hospital, and I would also take my son on  a trip to Disneyland.”

Ficher also said that she would give each person who worked in the cafeteria $1 million.

“At that point $1 million is only chump change,” she said.

“I would pay off school, buy a new car and treat my whole family, ” said student Samantha Lankau.

Others interviewed at Lindenwood Monday morning said they did not have any big plans if they won.