Yolanda Vega

Her distinctive delivery and unique on-camera style made this Brooklyn native a favorite among New Yorkers almost as soon as she hit the airwaves in February of 1990. After graduating from Hunter College in New York City with a B.A. degree in Economics, Yolanda spent several years working as an accountant. In 1986, she married New York State Trooper, Miguel A. Vega and today they live in the Albany area, where they make their home along with their daughters.

 Yolanda Trivia

Beside her work as an accountant at a bagel company, one of Yolanda's other former jobs was as a clerk at a dry cleaning store.

Personal Interest Profile
Meal: Lobster, Crab, Clams & Shrimp
Vacation: Caribbean Islands
Movie: March of the Wooden Soldier/Miracle on 34th St.
Sport: Baseball - Yankees!
Actor: Andy Garcia and Julia Roberts
Musician: Marc Anthony
TV Show: King of Queens; LOST; Desperate Houswives; Nip Tuck
Earliest Influence: Close-knit, loving family
Author: Stephen King
Greatest Achievement: Birth of her two daughters
Hobbies: Bowling, dancing, working out

 Marissa Rodriguez 

Marissa Rodriguez graduated in May '05, Cum Laude from Siena College with a B.A. in English and also a minor in psychology.  Just one month prior to graduation, Marissa had planned to pursue her enjoyment of English by becoming a teacher.  However, she now feels truly fortunate that she was given the opportuntiy to audition for and become a member of the New York Lottery Draw Team.  Marissa loves her hometown of Albany, NY and plans to make it her permanent residence. 

Marissa Trivia
 
Marissa has enjoyed drawing and painting since she was 2 years of age, favoring 'still life' art.  

Personal Interest Profile
Meal: Sushi and Eggplant Parmesan
Vacation: Jamaica and my parent's Lake House in the Adirondack Mountains
Movie: Mean Creek, Requiem for a Dream, Dear Wendy
Sport: Cheerleading
Actor: Edward Norton
Musician: Slipnot, Deftones, Fiona Apple
TV Show: Nip/Tuck and Making the Band
Earliest Influence: Parents
Author: Dean Koontz
Greatest Achievement: Graduating Cum Laude in English and Psychology from Siena College in '05
Hobbies: Running outside, working out, reading, bringing my dog "Logan" to Washington Park, hiking

 Sarah Pingel 

A native of Syracuse, Sarah graduated Magna Cum Laude from Syracuse University with a B.S. in Exercise Science.  She spent a large part of her youth in the dance studio training at such prestigious schools as The Boston Conservatory and Boston Ballet.  Sarah is currently dancing with the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company at the Egg in Albany, and is thrilled to be a member of the New York Lottery's Draw Team. 

Sarah Trivia
 
Sarah has trained as a classical vocalist and hopes to one day add Opera singing to her list of professional achievements. 

Personal Interest Profile
Meal: Filet Mignon
Vacation: Delft, Netherlands and Barcelona, Spain
Movie: Shawshank Redemption
Sport: Football
Actor: Sarah Jessica Parker
Musician: Dave Brubeck
TV Show: Law and Order
Earliest Influence: My amazing family
Author: Dan Brown
Greatest Achievement: Performing as a professional dancer
Hobbies: Eating Out, Singing, Teaching Dance, Traveling, Backyard Volleyball!

 Gretchen Dizer 

Originally from the Buffalo area, Gretchen studied theatre, voice, and dance from an early age. In 2006 she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Niagara University with a BFA in Theatre Performance and a minor in Communications. She continued her education by traveling to Ireland and attending the University of Limerick. In 2007, she graduated, First Class Honors, with an MA in Ethnochorelogy; the study of cultural dance and movement. A world class Irish dancer, she continued to live in Ireland to develop and improve her understanding of Irish culture, music and dance. She is very happy to join the New York Lottery Draw Team and looks forward to traveling, as well as meeting and talking with many people. 

Gretchen Trivia
 
Gretchen loves to collect and listen to world and folk music. She also loves learning songs in different languages.  

Personal Interest Profile

Meal: chilled fruit soups, chicken breast, pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes, and rice
Vacation: Southern Caribbean
Movie: The Blue Lagoon
Sport: Formal Bocce
Actor: Meryl Streep, Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman, Johnny Depp
Musician: Foy Vance, Kila, Allison Krauss, Sarah McLaughlin
TV Show: Any discovery and exploration shows
Earliest Influence: My best friend growing up, Olivia
Author: Aurthur Golden and Clifford Geertz
Greatest Achievement: My Masters degree
Hobbies: Listening to music, traveling, singing, playing with kids, taking walks, camping.

 Jina Matthews 

Originally from Montgomery County, Maryland, Jina graduated from Towson University in Baltimore with a B.S. in Mass Communications and a minor in Studio Art. She has been a professional promotional model for four years representing such companies as Mitsubishi, The Game Show Network, and GolTV at tradeshows and special events. Jina has two years of radio promotions and event planning experience with WBIG 100.3, a Classic Hits radio station in Washington, DC. Jina is extremely excited to be one of the new members of the New York Lottery Draw Team!  

Jina Trivia
 
In 2007, Jina was invited to audition to be a "Barkers Beauty" for the game show, The Price Is Right, in Hollywood, California.  

Personal Interest Profile
Meal: Pizza
Vacation: Los Angeles and San Francisco
Movie: Singles
Sport: Football
Actor: Katherine Heigl, Natalie Portman, Drew Barrymore
Musician: Eddie Vedder, Paul Simon, Eric Clapton
TV Show: The Price Is Right, Grey’s Anatomy, The Office
Earliest Influence: My parents and their strong work ethic
Author: David Sedaris, Jennifer Weiner
Greatest Achievement: Graduating college
Hobbies: horseback riding, traveling, and shopping in NYC!