North Carolina boy, 18, wins $2million on one of the first scratch-off lottery tickets he ever bought

An 18-year old from Scotland County, North Carolina, has won nearly $2 million during one of his first experiences with the lottery.

Donnie Leviner told NC Education lottery he had a gut feeling he should buy the scratch-off ticket.

The newbie said he had only bought a handful of lottery tickets before his big win. 

'Something just told me to buy it,' he said. 

'I was in disbelief,' Leviner said. 'I really didn't think it was true.'

Donnie Leviner, an 18-year old from Scotland County, North Carolina, won nearly $2 million during one of his first experiences with the lottery

Leviner said he initially visited Sneads Grove Convenience on Sneads Grove Road in Lauren Hill (pictured) to run an errand

Leviner said he initially visited Sneads Grove Convenience on Sneads Grove Road in Lauren Hill to run an errand.

'I initially just went there to fill up the lawn mower,' he said.

But as luck would have it, that's where Leviner bought the winning $20 Big Cash Payout ticket.

Leviner had to make a choice when he came to claim his award on Monday.

He would have the option of taking the prize as a flat amount of $1.2 million or as an annuity of $100,000 spread over 20 years.

The youngster ultimately chose the lump sum of $1.2 million.

After the necessary state and federal deductions, Leviner took home $858,006.

With great power comes great responsibility, and Leviner said although he isn't sure what he wants to spend the money on, he knows he wants to 'spend it wisely.'

The lottery raised $1.6 million for Scotland County, which was used to fund school upgrades

The $2 million top prize and eight $100,000 prizes were offered at the July debut of Big Cash Payout. It is still up for grabs to collect two $2 million and five $100,000 prizes.

The lottery raised $1.6 million for Scotland County, which was used to fund school upgrades. 

To learn more about the ways the lottery impacted Scotland County's education initiatives last year, go to www.nclottery.com and select the 'Impact' tab.