Perseverance paid off for Guy E. Parzynski of Chalmette Saturday night.  On Monday, Parzynski, age 41, claimed a $10,000 prize at the Louisiana Lottery Corporation's New Orleans office as a result of a winning Powerball ticket from the Dec. 15 drawing.

"I've been playing since the Louisiana Lottery joined the Powerball game," said Parzynski, who said he plans to use his winnings to finish Christmas shopping.  His ticket matched four white ball numbers drawn plus the red Powerball number to win his prize.  The winning numbers for the Dec. 15 Powerball drawing were 22-37-47-48-50 and the Powerball number was 17.

Parzynski purchased his winning ticket at Meraux Food Store #2 Inc. on Paris Road in Chalmette.

Ticket purchasers must be at least 21 years of age.  The Lottery encourages anyone who has a gambling problem or friends and family of anyone with a gambling problem to call toll-free 1-877-770-7867 for help.