north end mom wins $200000 in parquet floor challenge

Olivia Scimeca is surrounded by the master of ceremony “The Coach and the Celtics dancers.

Olivia Scimeca of Boston stepped onto the historic hard wood at the TD Bank North Garden and walked away $200,000 richer in the Massachusetts State Lotterys $1 Million Parquet Floor Challenge.

The sold out crowd at the Boston Celtic playoff cheered as the mother of two picked number “9 out of the 32 oversized Boston Celtics Limited Edition 2008 NBA Champions instant tickets spread across the parquet floor.

“Im thrilled, said Scimeca with a full court smile. “I havent slept since Friday. Its like a dream, its just not real. It would take me 10 years to earn this much money.

Scimeca was randomly selected through the Lotterys Second Chance Bonus Drawing sweepstakes to take part in the contest. An additional second chance drawing will be conducted for a second $1 Million Parquet Floor Challenge that will take place next season.

To enter the Second Chance Bonus Drawing, players must mail in two non-winning Celtics Instant tickets or follow the on-line entry instructions on masslottery.com.

The Lotterys Boston Celtics Limited Edition 2008 NBA Champions ticket is still available for $5 at 7,500 Lottery agents across the sate. In addition to being eligible for the $1 Million Parquet Floor Challenge, the Limited Edition 2008 NBA Champions ticket gives fans the chance to win up to $200,000 instantly, as well as an official Celtics 2008 Championship ring. The Massachusetts State Lottery is also the presenting sponsor of the Celtics 2009 playoff run.

Before the drawing, Scimeca, a property manager in the North End, said she decided to pick number “9 because her sons birthdays add up to that number. Two important drawing dates in the contest also added up to “9, she noted.

“Everybody has a number, said Scimeca, an avid Lottery player. “The way I see it, I cant lose.