Rita Alexander moved back to Kansas a month ago and received what she called “quite a welcome back present.” 

The Hillsboro resident purchased $20 worth of $2 Bonus Crossword instant scratch tickets at Ampride in Marion, one of which earned her a $20,000 top prize.

Alexander and her daughter Nancy stopped at Ampride Nov. 9 and purchased the tickets.

“We were sitting in the car scratching our tickets,” Alexander explained.  “I thought I had won $2,000 at first.  I handed the ticket to Nancy and she counted 10 words.”

By revealing all ten words on the ticket, Alexander won a $20,000 top prize.

“We started screaming when we realized it was $20,000,” Alexander said. 

Alexander moved from California to be closer to her children.  She plans to save some of her winnings and have fun with the rest.

Marion Ampride is located at 1225 East Main St.