Vince Palumbo, Superior Heights Collegiate vice-principal, is the winner of four tickets to the 2025 NCAA Men's Basketball semi-final and final games April 4-8 in San Antonio.
The tickets were won in White Pines Collegiate’s NCAA men's basketball draw.
Students picked the winning ticket out of a drum at a ceremony held in the White Pines gymnasium Friday afternoon.
Funds raised from ticket sales will go to programs for White Pines students.
“I'm very overwhelmed to be honest. Somewhat speechless,” Palumbo told SooToday.
Jennifer Barbeau, White Pines Collegiate principal, informed Palumbo of his win over her cell phone at Friday’s ceremony in the school’s gymnasium as the school’s student body cheered loudly.
“I wholeheartedly thought that I was being pranked,” Palumbo said.
“In my mind, buying a ticket for the raffle was a donation to the kids at White Pines. Everything that I do revolves around supporting kids in our community in a variety of different ways. That's always been a main goal of mine. Those that know me know that's a major focus in my life.”
Palumbo said he and his family will decide which two family members will travel to the NCAA event in San Antonio.
The NCAA men's basketball draw was the first ever big ticket raffle for White Pines.
Korah Collegiate has held raffles for Super Bowl tickets for several years to raise funds for programs for Korah students.
Barbeau said it was time for White Pines to do the same for its students.
“We're looking to buy a lot of musical instruments. We’re very strong on arts and culture and music is huge here at White Pines. We've started a new digital film program here and we’re hoping to connect to Sault College and work with Candice Day. We'll need to get some equipment for that. We're focusing a lot on athletic equipment because a lot of things need to be replaced. Football helmets right now are something that we really need to purchase.”
Tickets for White Pines Collegiate’s men's basketball draw went on sale in the first week of February.
5,000 tickets were printed and approximately 1,700 had been sold by Friday afternoon for $20 each.
“That’s not bad. It's actually awesome,” Barbeau said.
Staff and families from the White Pines community, as well as other schools, bought tickets.
“The nice thing about the Algoma District School Board is our schools really work well together. We sold lots of tickets for Korah for the Super Bowl. Other schools were selling tickets for us for this one because we just want to help each other out. A lot of alumni have been involved with us. There's a really nice camaraderie. There’s a feeling of ‘we'll help you, you help us’ because it's what's best for kids in the end,” Barbeau said.
The Prize Package is worth $18,900 USD and includes:
- Round trip airfare from Sault Ste. Marie to San Antonio for two people
- Four nights double occupancy accommodations at a premium hotel (April 4-8)
- Welcome Kit for San Antonio
- NCAA Fan Fest Tickets
- Upper-Level ticket to NCAA Semifinals
- Upper-Level ticket to National championship game
- Pre-game tailgate party on Saturday and Monday inclusive of complimentary food, interactive games, etc.
- Round trip airport transfers in San Antonio
- Round trip game transfers for Saturday and Monday
- Daily breakfast at hotel
- Souvenir gift package
Palumbo’s win marks the first time an active ADSB educator has won such a big ticket school raffle.
“What a way to kick it off. That's awesome,” White Pines principal Barbeau said.