$1M lottery winner says 'money won't change us'

A Fayetteville art teacher is North Carolina’s latest lottery millionaire.

Bonnie Gardner, a teacher at J.W. Seabrook Elementary School, said she plans to use the $1 million prize she won playing $200 Million Blowout to help her family.

“This is a good feeling,” she said. “I was happy before winning, and I’m happy now. This money won’t change us.”

Gardner and her husband collected the winnings Friday, according to officials with the North Carolina Education Lottery. She took a cash option and received a check for $415,206 after taxes.

Lottery officials said Gardner is the second player to win $1 million in the $20 game. She purchased her winning ticket at Tobacco Road Outlet on Cedar Creek Road in Fayetteville.