A routine stop for gas turned into a life-changing moment for a North Carolina woman after she bought her very first lottery ticket and won a $100,000 top prize.
Kahla Jeffries of Gastonia said she had no special plan to buy a lottery ticket that day. While visiting Will's Food Store on Hickory Grove Road, she noticed a scratch-off ticket that stood out to her and decided to give it a try.
"That one just caught my eye," Jeffries said, according to the North Carolina Education Lottery (NCEL).
Her choice proved to be an incredibly lucky one. The ticket, a $100,000 Cash Payday scratch-off, revealed the game's top prize of $100,000.
Surprise Win Leaves First-Time Player in Disbelief
Jeffries said she struggled to believe what she was seeing when she realized the ticket was a winner.
"I didn't think I was looking at it right," she said.
Like many lottery winners, the unexpected result came as a complete surprise, especially since it was the first lottery ticket she had ever purchased.
How Much Money Did She Receive?
Jeffries visited North Carolina Education Lottery headquarters on July 24 to officially claim her prize.
After required federal and state tax withholdings, she received $72,018.
Although taxes reduced the total payout, the winnings will still make a significant difference in her future plans.
How She Plans to Use the Prize Money
Instead of making extravagant purchases, Jeffries said she intends to spend the money responsibly. She plans to:
- Buy a reliable car.
- Save money for her education.
Her decision highlights how unexpected financial windfalls can be used to support long-term goals rather than short-term spending.
About the $100,000 Cash Payday Scratch-Off Game
The $100,000 Cash Payday scratch-off game was introduced by the North Carolina Education Lottery in March. The game launched with 80 top prizes worth $100,000 each.
According to lottery officials, 58 top prizes were still available as of July 24, meaning players still had multiple chances to win one of the game's highest awards.
A Reminder About Lottery Games
Stories like Jeffries' capture attention because they are rare and exciting. However, lottery games are designed to be games of chance, and winning a top prize is uncommon. Anyone choosing to play should do so responsibly and only spend money they can afford to lose.
For Jeffries, what began as an ordinary stop for gas became an unforgettable day—one lucky decision turned her first-ever lottery ticket into a $100,000 prize and gave her the opportunity to invest in both a new car and her education.
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