Jonathan Vargas turns 20 in July. But he relied on the ages of close relatives instead of his own when he picked the six winning numbers for Saturday's $35.3 million Powerball jackpot.
The Gaston construction worker said his two younger brothers turn 12 and 14 this year; his sister will be 15 and his older brother will be 21. Their mom turned 43 earlier this year. And the winning red ball number?
"As far as 30 — just a lucky guess," he said Monday at a news conference announcing him as the winner.
While other winning Powerball tickets have been sold in South Carolina, state lottery director Ernie Passailaigue said Vargas, who went to Airport High School in Lexington County, is the first winner who lives in the state.
Passailaigue said Vargas likely will take the lump sum payment, estimated at $17.3 million, instead of the annuity that pays out the larger jackpot amount over 29 years.
Vargas said he plans to buy his mother a house and quit work.
"Right now, there 's no really big plans in the works," he said. The first thing he plans to do is get a lawyer and a financial consultant. He said he already has an accountant — his aunt.
Vargas said the numbers came to him while he was at work. He was having a bottle of juice and saw that the expiration date on the bottle was his birthday. He said a voice in his head told him, "Your family is going to bring you success and fortune."
"I heard the numbers in my head," he said. "I called my mom and said write these numbers down."
He also wrote the numbers on a napkin and tucked it away in his pocket. He still has the napkin. He was holding it when he watched the drawing Saturday night.
"When it got to the third number, I knew I had it," he said. "I was grateful. I was crying. It was a very emotional moment for me."
Vargas, who admitted he's still a little scared by the prospect of being a millionaire at his young age, said the money is "a blessing from God."
"You never ask the Lord why you are blessed," he said. "I'm not going to ask the Lord why he put it in my hands."
He plans to give some money to his church and may look into going to college or getting into the real estate business. He also plans to set up a trust fund for his four siblings who inspired the winning numbers.
Although Vargas said Saturday was the first time he had played the lottery, it's not the first big win for his family. His parents, Patricia and Anthony Richardson, said they won $10,000 in a scratch-off game in the early days of the South Carolina lottery.
Congratulations, you're set for life!
Vargas, who admitted he's still a little scared by the prospect of being a millionaire at his young age, said the money is "a blessing from God."
and don't you forget it, baby!
Glad to hear someone give thanks where thanks is due! I hope he can hold onto-or increase-the money!
Congratulations to the winner, a young person who picked his own numbers and won. Who said only old people who buy QP ever win?
He came forward quickly, Ohio is still waiting to hear from its last MegaMillions winner.
Great point, especially about the OLD comment that was brought up a week or two ago. The timing could not be more perfect.
come on, we know it was you!
Congrats to him! If he plays his cards right he will be set for life.
Sounds like he some intelligence. How did he win? Personally, I am glad some one who won and didn't concentrate on buying a tractor with brakes, or a four-door pickup, or a new freezer. Lets hope he remains to spend it smartly.
Congrats to the kid. Hear's hoping he gets sound advice. At least he is looking at going to college.
You mean he is set for the next 3 years. ;-)
This is a situation just screaming out for someone to take the annuity instead of the lump sum payment.
Why? Aside from him claiming it so quickly and putting himself out there how he did. If he follows through with what he said maybe he won't be a failure, then again he said a lot of the same things many past winners have. Maybe he'll take some business and management classes. I'm sure he'll get some gold diggers coming his way, he better hope he can say no, especially with his relationship status being advertised he might be an easy target.
Not neccessarily. He sounds like he's got his stuff together...except for the aunt. If I were to win, and I'm 23 years old, I wouldn't allow ANYBODY in my family to deal with my money. I trust these people with my life but it seems like every person who has lost their millions did in part because of a relative. I love them all and they would all be taken care of but my financials would be taken care of by a wealth management team who have good strategies for people with money.
I agree with you there, I forgot to say that he shouldn't go with family to take care of this sort of thing.
I am SO HAPPY for him .. they seem like a close knit family and it shows he really loves them - no mention of 'dad' so, I'll assume that mama was holding down the fort with the kids .. and he seems quite intelligent and mature enough to use that money wisely - I don't believe it'll be gone in three years, as someone indicated - it's in there for the long haul [especially if he goes back to school] plus, auntie got his back [accountant]
as for hearing that voice, I swear I've heard a voice telling me this and that .. NADA! either my angels are too toothy or all gums cause I misinterpret all those whispers
and lastly, I am happy it wasn't a fat old man living in a single wide trailor who only dreams of going all classy with a double wide - I was this close to moving to east texas to improve my chances and roughing it with a redneck
Congrats to Jonathan Vargas! Put the money in something safe for now and take some investment classes.
I should have added that when I lived in NC a fellow from Wachovia Bank taught an excellent financial planning course on a saturday at the local community college. It was well worth the cost!
Smart kid from his interviews. My bet is he will dropout of college and enjoy the good life. WTG!
Winning is part of Playing... hearing voices makes me wonder.....something just don't sound right about this win!
Best wishes, be smart and make it last!
Hot Tub
"...Saturday was the first time he had played the lottery.."
Okay, people. I know we're all nice folks here and wish this young man a happy and healthy life. But this sentence has to aggravate you just a little!
Like putting out a cigarette with my eye....
I heard on the news this morning that he has started receiving death threats. He said that he might hire a bodyguard.
Means nothing. Every one should have a security detail for the first thirty-sixty days. Then the ego sicjo's forget what they were concentrating on and move to another amusement. I would imagine kidnapping threats are less common then whiners wanting freebees. The whiners would bother me more. They manage to look soooo sad and down trodden. Amazing how they push how horrible life is "for the children," but manage to live a fairly decent life and travel around fairly frequent. Why aren't they filthy dirty and barely able to exist? Must be they are keeping some for themselves. I wonder how many children the Pope-Mobile would feed in Darfor?
Congrats...
Every blasted time I hear it! Congratulations you lucky dog.
He is a smart kid you can visit blackvoices.com and see a pic of him hold the big check
Humm interesting site. I wonder how that would feel about one entitled "whitevoices.com" and only highlighted white people? I noticed they are entirely in the tank for Barrack Hussen Obama, and anything that terrible WHITE woman says is ALWAYS trash. "Obama On The Brink Of Victory," "Barack Obama stepped to the brink of victory in the Democratic presidential race," "Obama Tells Gop To "lay Off" Michelle," "Obama's Plan To Whoop Mccain." Obviously an integrated America is not a consideration in 2008. Something to be proud of spreading to American children.
I don't believe in fate with anything besides the lottery.
Actually, the Pope-Mobile was created because someone tried to assasinate the Pope several years ago. It is a bullet proof protection vehicle, not a luxury Rolls Royce. Not a fair comment from you considering Catholic Charities are one of the most generous charities world wide.
I agree on the personal security. That would be one of the arrangements to be made before you claim those winnings. Being single, I've already gotten my CCW, which is a good first step for anyone regarding personal security.
Regardless of why the Pope chose to spend millions that came from people who are repeatily told to give for the poor. I don't recall see a box labled Save The Pope. The fact they they give away a lot, while still providing hunmgous worship houses, instead of something Christ would have walked through. You can build millions of churches instead of those huge monsters filled with gold and copper - all from donations! Thousands of years of taking from the poor and building monster houses and worship places. Thousand of years! Study you history of Europe. Thousands of worship palaces. Most of which could have been used to help the needy. Nope history proves my point.
As far as security, I have a concealed license, was one of the first ones to get one in Oklahoma and immediately got one Nevada. Hundreds of thousands of rounds, and numerous hours in defensive shooting classes show my prepardness. Show me a robbery victum or a rape victum, and I'll show you someone who fooled themself into believing they thought they were safe and did not need protection. No one ever attacked them - until they did attack them!
Sweet