Teen wins $35 million Powerball lottery jackpot

May 20, 2008, 9:40 pm (38 comments)

Powerball

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.

AP

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Todd's avatarTodd

Congratulations, you're set for life!

spy153's avatarspy153

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!Thumbs UpGlad to hear someone give thanks where thanks is due! I hope he can hold onto-or increase-the money!

RJOh's avatarRJOh

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.

Todd's avatarTodd

Quote: Originally posted by RJOh on May 20, 2008

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.

spy153's avatarspy153

Quote: Originally posted by RJOh on May 20, 2008

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.

come on, we know it was you!

ThatScaryChick's avatarThatScaryChick

Congrats to him! If he plays his cards right he will be set for life.

MeFirstYouLast

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.

Piaceri

Congrats to the kid. Hear's hoping he gets sound advice. At least he is looking at going to college.

NightTrain1234's avatarNightTrain1234

Quote: Originally posted by Todd on May 20, 2008

Congratulations, you're set for life!

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.

DC81's avatarDC81

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.

dejack03

Quote: Originally posted by NightTrain1234 on May 21, 2008

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.

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.

DC81's avatarDC81

I agree with you there, I forgot to say that he shouldn't go with family to take care of this sort of thing.

Sandra Dee's avatarSandra Dee

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 Razz

wizeguy's avatarwizeguy

Congrats to Jonathan Vargas! Put the money in something safe for now and take some investment classes. Thumbs Up

wizeguy's avatarwizeguy

Quote: Originally posted by wizeguy on May 21, 2008

Congrats to Jonathan Vargas! Put the money in something safe for now and take some investment classes. Thumbs Up

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!

JackpotWanna's avatarJackpotWanna

Smart kid from his interviews.  My bet is he will dropout of college and enjoy the good life.  WTG!

Hot Tub

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 TubParty

justxploring's avatarjustxploring

"...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!

DC81's avatarDC81

Like putting out a cigarette with my eye....

Scott311

I heard on the news this morning that he has started receiving death threats. He said that he might hire a bodyguard.

MeFirstYouLast

Quote: Originally posted by Scott311 on May 22, 2008

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?

mken32's avatarmken32

Congrats...

pigsNtrees's avatarpigsNtrees

Quote: Originally posted by justxploring on May 22, 2008

"...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!

Every blasted time I hear it! Congratulations you lucky dog.

deerseason's avatardeerseason

He is a smart kid you can visit blackvoices.com and see a pic of him hold the big check

MeFirstYouLast

Quote: Originally posted by deerseason on May 22, 2008

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.

JWBlue

Quote: Originally posted by justxploring on May 22, 2008

"...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!

I don't believe in fate with anything besides the lottery.

Piaceri

Quote: Originally posted by MeFirstYouLast on May 22, 2008

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?

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.

MeFirstYouLast

Quote: Originally posted by Piaceri on May 23, 2008

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!

tntea's avatartntea

Sweet

justxploring's avatarjustxploring

"....Hundreds of thousands of rounds,..."

BS

Piaceri

Quote: Originally posted by MeFirstYouLast on May 24, 2008

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!

Yes, the Middle Ages were quite the period for oppression, not just from the Church, but from many. It was a very difficult time period in the history of man.

But again, that is the Middle Ages, a world that is so far removed from today. In today's world, Catholic Churches are built from the same donation dollars that come from its congregation, just the same as any Protestant church,  - each congregation builds their own church. Some Protestant churches are just as big, if not larger. I was born and raised in the Catholic Church, and every church I belonged to had membership around 500 - 800 members, several had schools that were attended by Catholics and non Catholics alike.  Today's Catholic Church is nothing like it was in the Middle Ages.

You sound just like the minister of this one Protestant church I attended with my ex's relatives. He told the story of his trip to Europe, and he went on and on about his visiting the old Catholic Churches with their "golden idols". I walked out, and refused to attend any so called church that puposefully denigrates another because they happen to worship a bit differently. As a Catholic, I can assure you and anyone else that there are no "golden idols" being worshipped. I've even  been told that Catholics are not Christians. I certainly believe that I am Christian as I believe in Jesus Christ.  There is enough hate in this world that we don't need crap attitudes like yours.

So quit your hating on the Catholic Church.  The Pope certainly deserves protection from assassination.  The Church is nothing - NOTHING - like the oppressive Church of the Middle Ages.  Take a little time and educate yourself about the modern Catholic Church, get past 500+ year old history, and quit holding people to the mistakes of the Middle Ages when the Catholic Church was the ONLY Christian church.  Have you ever even been inside a modern Catholic Church? You know NOTHING about today's Catholic Church - your own words prove MY POINT. 

(My apologies to Todd - but this public denigration of the Catholic Church is just out of line and I feel I have the right to defend my church, one that is one of the most generous charitible organizations worldwide - one that sits firmly on the top of the charities that I contribute.) 

Todd's avatarTodd

No apologies necessary, you defence of the Caotholic Church was nicely stated because you're obviously not interested in attacking the other person, just saying some good things about the Church.  I also don't like when people slam the church because of things that took place in the dark ages. 

People need to remember how nothing they know about today is anything like what those people went through.  People did what they could to survive, and they did not have the scientific knowledge to understand the world around them.  They were scared, and scared people can do some awful things.

Today, the Catholic church does a lot of good for a lot of people.  There are some who slam the church, but anyone who is so angry at a church (of all things) is angry for a reason.  I'm not going to get into reasons why that may be, but the reasons likely have little to do with the church itself.

One thing I iwll request at this point:  let's let the subject of religion and church be continued in a blog, if at all, but let's not continue a religious flame war in the forums.

TheGameGrl's avatarTheGameGrl

My one suggestion to this winner is to keep the family out of the financial decisions. Let them reap some benefits, but seriously having the *AUNT* give financial advice is asking for trouble. Unless she is a merrill lynch employee or someone of financial degree, I'd caution him to allow an objective person guide his financial decision. Families have a tendency to be bias.

 

It was pure luck that he played it when he did and how he did. Its a blessing for him and may he enjoy the goodness that can come from it.

tntea's avatartntea

Quote: Originally posted by TheGameGrl on May 25, 2008

My one suggestion to this winner is to keep the family out of the financial decisions. Let them reap some benefits, but seriously having the *AUNT* give financial advice is asking for trouble. Unless she is a merrill lynch employee or someone of financial degree, I'd caution him to allow an objective person guide his financial decision. Families have a tendency to be bias.

 

It was pure luck that he played it when he did and how he did. Its a blessing for him and may he enjoy the goodness that can come from it.

Agree

If I were that young and won a lottery that large.  I would continue my education and travel.  There are so many things to learn out there and life is so short.

The money would last me forever.  I am not into fancy clothes, diamonds, cars or etc.

 

I like Freedom...  and eating in good restaurants.

MeFirstYouLast

Quote: Originally posted by justxploring on May 25, 2008

"....Hundreds of thousands of rounds,..."

BS

Yep! Owning a gun and using it as a paper weight is a waste of money.  As the stats show, most criminals take the guns away from their owners and use it on the owners - and other innocent people.  When you learn how to use your firearm, prepare youself, and really want to protect your family (not just be macho), the the criminal never has the chance to make you, or your little girl, a victum.  I have spent my life doing everything I can to secure my daughter, including spending time with her at the firing range.

Look at all these college kids being killed.  It is all over the news. The safety of the 60's is long gone.  People still wait to be victums and druggies do their best to accomidate them.  Crime is up, and their just aren't enough cops to protect YOU.

MeFirstYouLast

Quote: Originally posted by tntea on May 25, 2008

Agree

If I were that young and won a lottery that large.  I would continue my education and travel.  There are so many things to learn out there and life is so short.

The money would last me forever.  I am not into fancy clothes, diamonds, cars or etc.

 

I like Freedom...  and eating in good restaurants.

justxploring and tntea are two of the most intelligent people on the LP!  Others need to pay more attention to your wisdom!

DC81's avatarDC81

Aside from drug arrest, crime for the most part has been for the most part on the decline for the last couple decades with homocide rates at the lowest since the 60s. Though non-fatal gun crime was on the rise as of 2005 or 2006, but admittedly the data I'm looking at only has to do with reported crime and is a bit old so that might changing recently and either risen more or dropped, I doubt it's skyrocketed to where it's beyond what it was a decade ago and yeah I'm know there are areas where crime has certainly increased but certain areas go through that all the time, the problems with certain downturns in the public sector and the economy probably have at least some hand in it. The advent of 24/7 news media (who feed off bad news) over the last 20 years or so we hear about it a lot more about the bad things going on all over the country and I think that gives the illusion that things are worse than what they actually are.

 

The 60s weren't all sunshine and rainbows either, two examples of that that come to mind would be Charles Whitman and Charles Manson (who's criminal history goes back into the 50s as well). Oh yeah and I guess there's the Kennedy assasinations as well as Martin Luther King Jr. Obviously I'm only using big examples because those are the only ones that really got reported outside of the local news back then due to the limits of the time.

 

I am pro-gun and concealed weapons laws for law biding, sane citizens who actually take the effort to train with the weapon properly and not just buy a gun and think "yeeehaw, Imma cowboy naw!" While firing off a few rounds in the air like they're Yosemite Sam.. Nothing really good has ever come from taking rights away from upstanding, lawbiding and again, sane citizens.

 

Rant

MeFirstYouLast

Quote: Originally posted by DC81 on May 25, 2008

Aside from drug arrest, crime for the most part has been for the most part on the decline for the last couple decades with homocide rates at the lowest since the 60s. Though non-fatal gun crime was on the rise as of 2005 or 2006, but admittedly the data I'm looking at only has to do with reported crime and is a bit old so that might changing recently and either risen more or dropped, I doubt it's skyrocketed to where it's beyond what it was a decade ago and yeah I'm know there are areas where crime has certainly increased but certain areas go through that all the time, the problems with certain downturns in the public sector and the economy probably have at least some hand in it. The advent of 24/7 news media (who feed off bad news) over the last 20 years or so we hear about it a lot more about the bad things going on all over the country and I think that gives the illusion that things are worse than what they actually are.

 

The 60s weren't all sunshine and rainbows either, two examples of that that come to mind would be Charles Whitman and Charles Manson (who's criminal history goes back into the 50s as well). Oh yeah and I guess there's the Kennedy assasinations as well as Martin Luther King Jr. Obviously I'm only using big examples because those are the only ones that really got reported outside of the local news back then due to the limits of the time.

 

I am pro-gun and concealed weapons laws for law biding, sane citizens who actually take the effort to train with the weapon properly and not just buy a gun and think "yeeehaw, Imma cowboy naw!" While firing off a few rounds in the air like they're Yosemite Sam.. Nothing really good has ever come from taking rights away from upstanding, lawbiding and again, sane citizens.

 

Rant

Good points.  Just remember, since the intial ten ammendments, the U.S. Congress has NEVER written a law giving Americans more freedoms, but have spent the following years trying to take away freedoms.  America is the greatest country in the world, not because of its politicians; because of its workers.

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