Merry Thomas just made a whole lot of money teaching.
Thomas, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, had just finished working an overnight shift when she went to a Giant grocery store with a friend and coworker so she could teach her how to use the self-service lottery machine.
She also showed her how to scan a ticket after scratching it to see if they won anything. So they scanned their tickets.
Her coworker won $12. Not bad -- except Thomas won a cool $1 million.
"I've been freaking out since then!" she said, according to a release from Virginia Lottery.
Thomas won the top prize in the 20X the Money game, according to the lottery.
She chose to receive the money in a one-time cash option of $630,915 before taxes. She'd also had the choice of taking the full $1 million prize over 30 years.
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Thomas bought the winning ticket at the Giant at 35 Town and Country Road in Fredericksburg, which will get a $10,000 bonus from the Virginia Lottery.
As for what she'll do with the money, Thomas said she has no immediate plans just yet.
"I just feel so fortunate," she said.
