Raleigh – Mary Shoffner of Burlington says she always knew she’d someday win a big prize playing the lottery. Her premonition came true on Wednesday when she claimed a $100,000 top prize in the Mega Bucks game.

Shoffner scratched off the lucky $5 ticket after purchasing it at John’s Food Express on North Church Street in Burlington.

“I knew my day would come, but I still wasn’t expecting it,” Shoffner said. “When I showed my daughter the ticket, we both started screaming and running around. I ran back to the store to tell their employees and they congratulated me. I’m just so happy. I’m really grateful for this win.”

After federal and state taxes were withheld, Shoffner was awarded $69,251. She plans on using her prize money to help pay for her grandsons’ college, renovate her home and take a family vacation.

Ticket sales made it possible for the lottery to raise more than half a billion dollars for the state last year. North Carolina Education Lottery net proceeds were used this year to help pay salaries of teachers and teacher assistants, for pre-kindergarten programs for at-risk four-year-olds, school construction and repair, and need-based college scholarships and financial aid.

For details on how more than $47 million in lottery funds have made a difference in Alamance County, click on the “Where the Money Goes” tab on the lottery’s website.

For prizes greater than $5,000, 25% federal tax and 5.75% state tax are automatically withheld.