Iowa Lottery

Woodbury County Woman Plays Scratch Game On A Whim, Wins Top Prize

Connie Swearinger Wins Top Prize of $30,000 Playing the "Tropical Treasures" Scratch Game

  Hear Connie tell her story.

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DES MOINES, Iowa - A Woodbury County woman picked the "Tropical Treasures" scratch ticket for something different to play and ended up winning the top prize of $30,000.

Connie Swearinger, 57, of Smithland said she and her husband, Boyd, like to play scratch games, but try to pick out different ones every once in a while. She said she felt extremely lucky to have picked Tropical Treasures this time.

"I went out to the vehicle and scratched it; and went back inside to have it verified. We just couldn't believe what we were seeing," Swearinger said.

Swearinger said they had stopped by the convenience store to use the ATM and bought the ticket on their way out the door.

"It was on a whim; we pick out different ones at different times," she said.

Swearinger said she has told her four children and all her grandchildren about the win.

"They joke and say, 'Well you owe me some money, I'm sure,'" she laughed.

Swearinger said she plans to use some of the winnings to pay bills and buy a vehicle.

Swearinger claimed her prize May 24 at the Iowa Lottery's regional office in Storm Lake. She purchased her winning ticket at Mapleton BP, Highway 141 and 175 in Mapleton.