RALEIGH – Randy Taylor of Fayetteville plans to pay for his daughter’s nursing school tuition and save for his retirement after winning Friday’s Carolina Cash 5 jackpot of $174,384.

Taylor said he was sleeping when his wife, Jackie, woke him up to say their numbers matched the winning numbers in the nightly Cash 5 drawing.

“When I found out at midnight, I thought it had to be a dream,” Taylor said. “I woke up the next morning with a smile on my face when I realized I had really won.”

Taylor purchased the lucky Quick Pick ticket at Freddy Tobacco #2 on Raeford Road in Fayetteville. After state and federal taxes were withheld, Taylor received a check for $120,675.

“I’ve tried to hold in my excitement but seeing this just makes it all so real,” Taylor said as he held his check for the first time.

Jackie, a former teacher assistant in Fayetteville, said she is thankful that the lottery supports education.

“Teachers are such a large part of children’s lives and their hard work deserves to be recognized,” she said. “It’s neat to be a winner and take part in helping fund education.”

Ticket sales have made it possible for the lottery to raise more than $3.3 billion for the state. Net proceeds are used for prekindergarten programs for at-risk four-year-olds, teachers’ salaries in grades K-3, school construction, digital learning initiatives, need-based college scholarships and financial aid.

For details on how more than $115.8 million in lottery funds have made a difference in Cumberland County, click on the “Where the Money Goes” tab on the lottery’s website.