Winnipeg teacher wins big supporting the WSO in the One Great Lottery initiative!

By Avi Bhatt, WSO Communications Specialist 

Dustin Dvorak, a devoted Winnipeg resident and long-time educator, recently won over $21,000 in the One Great Lottery campaign! As one of the 13 grand prize winners, we are especially grateful that he chose to support the WSO with his ticket purchase.

We had the pleasure of sitting down with Dustin to capture his reactions and hear about his experience. Read the full interview below.

Avi: Hi Dustin, could you introduce yourself to our readers?

Dustin: I’ve been a teacher for almost 20 years, supporting students with challenges through student services. I’m a Winnipeg native, born and raised.

Avi: That’s wonderful. Now, the big question – how does it feel to win?

Dustin: It feels amazing! It was quite a surprise when Ryan [Ryan Diduck, WSO Senior Director Public Engagement] called me. At first, I thought it was a scam. But then I remembered buying the ticket. When I got the email from the Lottery, it confirmed everything. As the reality settled in, it became more exciting. It’s been a bit surreal, but now I know it’s real because the cheque is in my hand!

Avi: Did you expect to win?

Dustin: Not at all. I always buy these kinds of tickets to support our community, but I never expected to win.

Avi: Where were you when you got the call?

Dustin: I was at work in my office, which is why I initially thought it was a scam. But as Ryan explained who he was and that I had won $21,000, my skepticism faded. My office partner overheard the call and was instantly excited, and we had a small celebration afterward.

Avi: How did you manage to get back to work after hearing the news?

Dustin: Thankfully, it was the second-to-last day of work, so I didn’t need to be overly focused. The win was definitely on my mind, but it all worked out in the end.

Avi: You chose the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra as your benefactor. Can you share why you made that choice?

Dustin: I attend the symphony every year and absolutely love it. Although my last name is Dvorak, like the famous composer, I’m not musical at all. I enjoy the music but can’t produce any myself. I’m passionate about supporting the Arts, especially where the Symphony performs, including the Opera and the Ballet.

Avi: That’s a wonderful connection. Do you have a favourite memory from the symphony?

Dustin: My fondest memory is the first time I heard Dvořák performed. I thought, ‘That’s my last name!’ People often ask if I’m related, but in the Czech Republic, Dvorak is as common a last name as Smith. I don’t think I am, but who knows?

Avi: Now that you have the cheque in your hand, do you have any plans for the prize money?

Dustin: I’m definitely planning a vacation. I love traveling across Canada, but I’ve yet to visit Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. This prize will finally allow me to fund that trip, which is surprisingly expensive. I also plan to invest some of the money, hoping it grows so I can continue supporting community organizations.

Thank you for supporting the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Dustin!

One Great Lottery is a fun and innovative way to raise both awareness of and funds for participating charities in Manitoba! You can choose to direct your ticket purchase to the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra or share it amongst all participating charities.

It’s truly inspiring to witness not-for-profit charities uniting from all corners of the province … it’s a Manitoba WIN-WIN!