Rodney Everhart of Thomasville became the 15th winner of a $1 million Millionaire Maker top prize.

“It’s very exciting,” he said. “It’s a big, huge blessing.”

Everhart purchased his winning ticket from the Eagle Mart on Baptist Childrens Home Road in Thomasville.

He claimed his prize Monday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh.

Everhart had the option of taking the $1 million as an annuity of $50,000 a year over 20 years, or a lump sum of $600,000. He chose the lump sum of $600,000 and took home $424,509 after required federal and state tax withholdings.

With his prize money, Everhart plans to first pay off his house and some bills.

“Then I’ll be able to do some things for my mother and father and immediate family,” he said. “And go out West to Colorado and Montana and elk hunt!”

Millionaire Maker is the first scratch-off to offer 30 $1 million prizes. Everhart became the 15th person to win one of those $1 million prizes.

Ticket sales from scratch-offs like Millionaire Maker make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $725 million per year for education. For details on how $9.3 million raised by the lottery made a difference in Davidson County last year, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.