Angelette Cheek of Pittsboro won the $1 million top prize in a new game from the North Carolina Education Lottery Sunday. Cheek’s prize came from a $10 ticket to the Emerald 10s game, which she bought from Neal’s Gas & Convenience on East Street.

Cheek arrived at lottery headquarters in Raleigh Tuesday to pick up her prize. When offered a choice between a $50,000 annuity over 20 years or a lump sum of $600,000, Cheek chose the lump sum. After required state and federal tax withholdings, she took home $430,503. Cheek says she plans to use her winnings to help her family and do some home renovations.

Angelette Cheek of Pittsboro won one of five $1 million top prizes from the lottery’s Emerald 10s game. (Image via North Carolina Education Lottery)

The North Carolina Education Lottery’s Emerald 10s game debuted earlier this month with five top prizes of $1 million. The other four prizes have yet to be claimed.

Proceeds from Emerald 10s and other lottery games raised $4.4 million for education in Chatham County in 2024.


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