Worth interrupting dinner over

By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

POST FALLS — Justin Lyon hadn't heard about the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce's $25,000 Super Scholarship Raffle.

But the University of Idaho freshman, who graduated from Post Falls High in June, quickly became educated about it on Thursday night.

When the name of Lyon's father, Jerry, was drawn from nearly 500 entries during a chamber of commerce member appreciation event, Jerry, accompanied by wife Kathie, was stunned.

"I'm overwhelmed," Jerry said. "I had no idea that would happen to us. It couldn't have come at a better time with Justin just starting school.

"We're blessed."

After receiving his bachelor's degree from UI, Justin plans to transfer to the University of Washington to enter medical school.

"I've saved up some money for college, but this definitely helps a lot," Justin said during a telephone interview from Moscow after his parents were finally able to reach him during dinner.

"I had no idea my dad bought a ticket, so this is crazy."

Justin, who played football and baseball at PFHS, worked at Super 1 Foods during his senior year and The Club at Black Rock over the summer to save money for college.

Jerry confirmed that he's not interested in heading back to college, so he was pleased to defer to Justin on his winnings.

"I think, at 61, I'm beyond (going back to school)," said Jerry, a chamber of commerce member. "I'm just blessed to have an 18-year-old who can take advantage of it."

The father and son recently competed together in a Spartan obstacle course race.

Roughly 60 people were present when Cody Jahns, the winner of the scholarship last year during the raffle's first year and a North Idaho College student, drew Jerry's name.

Sherry Mundt, a member of the Mica Flats Grange, won the raffle last year before granting Jahns the scholarship after an essay contest among the nonprofit's members.

Jerry said he purchased two of the $50 tickets last year and two again this year.

Graydon Stanley, NIC's vice president of Student Services, prolonged the announcement of the winner in true raffle form.

"This person is already here," Stanley said after seeing the name. "And many of you already know him."

After Stanley said Jerry's name, he asked the winner if he had somebody in mind to grant the scholarship to.

Jerry quickly replied, "My son is at the University of Idaho right now."

When Jerry and Kathie couldn't reach Justin with a phone call so those in attendance could hear Justin, Kathie texted to her son, "Call now. Important news."

A few moments later, Justin called.

"Justin, this is your Uncle Graydon, and we're having a party here at the Post Falls chamber in your dad's honor," Stanley joked to Justin.

Stanley originally informed Justin he had won $250 before clarifying it was $25,000.

The scholarship can be used at UI, NIC or Lewis-Clark State. One of the ideas behind the raffle is to keep students in a local college or university.

The raffle is also a fundraiser for the chamber of commerce's education programs.

"We appreciate everyone who invested in a ticket and bought into the idea of the program," said Jamé Davis, the chamber of commerce's CEO.

If all 1,000 of the tickets are sold, $25,000 is raised each for the chamber of commerce and the winner. If not all of the tickets are sold, the priority is given to the scholarship winner first.