By Zach Spicer | The Tribune
For The Republic
SEYMOUR — Steven Everage’s frequent lottery playing could pay off big time.
The 46-year-old Seymour man is one of five finalists in the nationwide Powerball First Millionaire of the Year promotion, Hoosier Lottery officials said.
Just after midnight Friday, the winner will be announced during ABC’s live broadcast of “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2021.”
Country music artist Jessie James Decker is serving as a correspondent for the show for the second year and will provide live updates throughout the evening, checking in with Everage and the other finalists, who are from Washington, D.C., Florida, Pennsylvania and Nebraska.
Instead of traveling to New York City, where the show is based, the finalists will be at their homes to keep them safe due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A TV crew will join them to record two live updates — one to introduce them and one to announce the winner. The show starts at 8 p.m.
“I was at home eating supper when I found out I was a finalist. I was very happy to hear about it,” Everage said. “I’m excited by the chance of winning, and it’s a great chance to possibly become debt-free.”
No matter what happens, Everage already is a winner.
As a finalist, he will receive The Party Home New Year’s Eve Party Package valued at $20,000 that includes a $12,500 cash prize, a deluxe surf and turf dinner from Omaha Steaks, a 70-inch LED television with a home theater sound system, a karaoke machine, six gift bags to hand out to those watching the show with him, a gift bag for him and a gift bag for his wife, Julie.
Everage said he plans to use the cash prize to pay off his wife’s car. The TV was installed on Christmas Eve.
For more on this story, see Thursday’s Republic.
