RALEIGH – Ronald Monroe, a community advocate from Fayetteville, is the first player to win the $150,000 top prize in the Emerald 7’s game.

Monroe purchased the lucky $5 ticket at the Kangaroo Express on Bragg Boulevard in Fayetteville on Monday.

“I just stopped in to get a soda when the green emerald ticket caught my eye,” Monroe said. “I scratched it off in the car and thought it was a misprint. It still doesn’t seem real. This feels wonderful.”

Monroe plans to use his winnings, worth $103,876 after state and federal withholdings, to pay bills and have some fun.

As he collected his winnings, Monroe spoke about how the lottery helps education.

“Education is a top priority,” Monroe said. “It makes me feel good to know that the money raised by the lottery is going to help the students.”

The Emerald 7’s game went on sale on April 7. As of Tuesday afternoon, three top prizes remain to be claimed in the game.

Monroe is the second player from Fayetteville to claim a big lottery prize this week. On Monday, Candace Hunt claimed the $200,000 top prize in the $200,000 Gold Rush game. She plans to use her winnings to pay off her car and save for her children.

Ticket sales have made it possible for the lottery to raise more than $3.8 billion for the state. Net proceeds will be used this year to help pay salaries of teachers and teacher assistants, for pre-kindergarten programs for at-risk four-year-olds, for school construction and repair, and need-based college scholarships and financial aid.

For details on how $133 million in lottery funds have made a difference for specific education programs in Cumberland County, click on the “Where the Money Goes” tab on the lottery’s website.