_ufgg.jpg&w=600)
Ricky Rapoza of Rocky Mount, a drummer and singer of Top 40, beach music, and gospel songs, played a $5 scratch-off ticket Thursday and rocked out to the tune of a $200,000 win.
Rapoza bought four Diamond Mine 9X tickets when he stopped for gas at the Kangaroo Express on South Wesleyan Boulevard in Rocky Mount. He was back at home watching TV when he scratched the tickets and saw he had mined a big prize on the fourth one.
“It was pretty wild,” Rapoza said. “I didn’t believe it till I got here today. But it’s a great feeling.”
He claimed his prize Friday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh and took home $141,501 after required federal and state tax withholdings.
“I’m going to put it in the bank and sit on it,” Rapoza said. “I’m just going to live a normal a life as much as possible.”
Rapoza, who has a new gospel CD in the works, said he enjoys playing the lottery because it raises money for education.
“I think it is a great thing,” said Rapoza. “I would still play even if I didn’t win because I believe in what North Carolina is doing.”
Ticket sales from scratch-off games make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $900 million a year for education.
A $10 million grant, using money raised by the lottery, is helping Nash County build the new Red Oak Elementary School. For details on other ways Nash County benefits from lottery funds, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.
Login to leave a comment.
I'm happy to see a fellow Nash County win.