(Undated) -- Two Iowans are among five finalists for a million dollar lottery prize. If finalist Shari Beenken of Titonka wins, she's not sure yet what she'd do with the money. She predicts she'll be very nervous New Year's Eve, when the drawing takes place. Rob Long of Waterloo is the other finalist. He entered tickets he bought on behalf of a group of co-workers, family, and friends. The special Powerball drawing will be broadcast live on ABC'S Dick Clark's Rockin' New Yeark's Eve with Ryan Secrest 2022, from New York's Time Square.
Iowa and 28 other lotteries in the Powerball game participated in this year's edition of the First Millionaire of the Year promotion. Players enter their Powerball tickets for a chance at more winnings. Iowa Lottery players were able to enter tickets into the promotion back in September, and on Sept. 30, the Iowa Lottery selected 20 of them (including Beenken and Long) as preliminary winners of $2,500 each.
Those 20 Iowa winners along with the preliminary winners from the other lotteries in the promotion were then entered into a random drawing that determined the five finalists for the $1 million prize.
Each finalist will get a $10,000 cash prize and a home party package also valued at $10,000, including a 70-inch LED TV, karaoke system, premium laptop computer, and deluxe dinner for eight.