WINNIPEG — A Winnipeg teen celebrated her birthday the way most of us can only dream of — with a winning $1 million lottery ticket.
Taylor Witzke turned 18 on Labor Day, so as an adult, she decided to buy a few lottery tickets the next day — four Scratch 'n Win tickets.
"I scratched a Blackjack ticket and won nothing, then picked up the Set for Life ticket," Witzke said. "I saw three Set for Life symbols, but thought, no, you must need four. So I turned it over and read the instructions ... I handed it to my friends and said, 'Tell me I'm not dreaming.' I was ecstatic and unbelieving all at the same time!"
When she realized she had won $1 million, Witzke called her mother with the good news.
"There was lots of screaming," Witzke said.
Witzke recently graduated from Transcona Collegiate Institute, and is taking a year off before furthering her education.
Now, as a new millionaire, Witzke said travelling is on the top of her list.
"I do want to travel ... I definitely will take a trip or two somewhere," she said.
She'll also be sharing the wealth — she's decided to buy her mom a new car.
"I'm buying my mom a Camaro," Witzke said. "Ever since she found out, she's like, 'I need that Camaro!'"
Witzke said even with the windfall, she will keep working at her retail job.
"I love being there," she said.
Andrea Marantz, director of corporate affairs with Western Canada Lottery Corporation, said it was a great feeling to present Witzke with her winnings.
"She's a very nice young woman, she was just right over the moon," Marantz said.
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Thanks to Justin for the tip.
Set for Life at 18 years old. Hmmm... I hope it works out that way.
Her mother's first reaction of "needing" a new Camaro right away is a little disconcerting.
I think it's probably best if this is an annuity in this case.
lol yeah she might be of the misconception that winning a million dollars is easy.
at that age, it would be easy to blow it all, hey at any age. good luck girl, i think you may need more of it.
Wow, I hope that she doesn't spend it all right away.
At 18, one tends to be more than a little impetuous!
I hoping for a big win on my non-birthday of September 18th! Woo Hoo!
WOW!! Beginner's Luck for sure.
Oh ............
and my dream is ..................
to win the lottery .....................
and work a retail job ..................................................
That's too funny...
My dream is to win the lottery and quit my retail job.
Dang, moms is already hitting her up for a new car. wow. I hope it lasts this young lady, but it aint looking good so far
That is definitely a great way to celebrate ones birthday.
Just a little humor
on my part .................. 
I almost went broke working retail !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
.......... and the work was ............
Maybe .......... owning retail .............
First of all, is she really a millionare? I ask this because a winning $1,000,000 scratch ticket here in MA
will only get you around $500,000 when you cash it in. I guess what I'm asking is if Canada taxes lottery
winnings. If they do then saying she is a millionare is misleading. BUT whichever way, I wish I could hit even for $100,000 :-)
Congratulations to Ms. Witzke!! I wish her well in all her endeavors. Be careful and be safe.
How COOL is this story!!!!
There aren't any taxes on lottery winnings if I remember correctly but I don't know that's a 1M lump sum or annuity. Though either way I wouldn't call her a millionaire.
Some people win early in life some people win late in life and millions of people NEVER WIN...It's the nature of the beast..