George Scheide of Hickory took a chance on a $50 scratch-off and won a $1 million prize.
Scheide bought his lucky $10 Million Spectacular ticket from Kountry Kwik Stop on N.C. 127 in Hickory.
When Scheide arrived Tuesday to collect his winnings, he had a decision to make. He could choose to receive his prize as an annuity of $50,000 over 20 years or a lump sum of $600,000. He chose the lump sum of $600,000 and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $429,014.
The $10 Million Spectacular game debuted in December with five top prizes of $10 million, 20 prizes of $1 million and 20 prizes of $100,000. Three $10 million prizes, 14 $1 million prizes and 12 $100,000 prizes remain to be claimed.
Alexander County received $5.4 million from money raised by the lottery to help with school renovations. For details on other ways money raised by the lottery made a difference for education programs in Alexander County last year, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.