22-Year Old Wins $150,000 When First Time Playing The Lottery

A 22-year-old Griffin man was running an errand for his mother when he stopped at a mini mart for a soda and a lottery ticket.

“It was the first time I actually purchased a lottery ticket,” William Hightower said. “I guess it was just a lucky feeling.”

The lucky feeling made him $150,000 richer. Lottery officials said Hightower, a plumber, won the top prize in Giant Jumbo Bucks, a scratch-off game.

After buying the ticket at Park Avenue C Store in Jackson, Hightower went back to his truck to see if he’d won.

“I went back into the store and asked the clerk to check the ticket,” he said. “She gave me a big hug. I had to calm down.”