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The North Carolina Education Lottery has announced a million-dollar win by a Carteret County woman on a scratch-off ticket.

Sharon Culpepper burst into her Newport home in joyous celebration on January 8, 2024 after scratching off a $1 million win.

“I jumped out of my car and ran into my house screaming at the top of my lungs,” she laughed. “Then I just dropped to my knees and hit the floor.”

Culpepper bought her lucky $10 Multiplier Mania ticket from Newport BP on Main Street in Newport.

“My son’s fiancé was home when I was screaming and she asked what’s wrong and I yelled, ‘I just won a million dollars,’” Culpepper recalled.

She started calling different family members right away but none of them believed her. “I play tricks sometimes and pick on them so they needed to see proof,” she said.

Culpepper said the timing of this win will definitely come in handy for her.

“This is a game changer for me,” she said. “The first part of 2024 is looking outstanding.”

When Culpepper arrived in Raleigh to collect her winnings, she had a decision to make. She could choose to receive the prize as an annuity of $50,000 over 20 years or a lump sum of $600,000. She chose the lump sum of $600,000 and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $429,003.

She plans to buy a new car, pay some bills, do some home repairs, and take a cruise to the Caribbean.

Multiplier Mania debuted in June with six $1 million top prizes. Three $1 million prizes remain to be claimed.

For details on ways education programs across the state benefit from lottery funds, visit nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.

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