Massachusetts State Lottery announces recent graduate receives best graduation gift ever, $25,000 a year for life

A recent Massachusetts graduate may have just received the best graduation gift ever and she has herself to thank.

According to the Massachusetts State Lottery, Keisha James is the winner of a $25,000 a year for life prize in the multi-state Lucky for Life game after the first five numbers on her ticket matched those selected in the October 19 drawing.

James, who is from Hyannis, said she went to a store with the intent to purchase Powerball tickets. When she realized there was no drawing that night, she decided to buy some Quic Pic Lucky for Life tickets instead.

James claimed her prize Wednesday, November 15 at Massachusetts State Lottery headquarters in Dorchester. She chose the annuity option and will receive annual payments of $25,000 (before taxes) for the rest of her life. She said she recently completed a school program and that this was a nice graduation gift. She plans to use some of her winnings to go on a trip.

She purchased her winning ticket at Stop & Shop, 425 Attucks Lane in Hyannis. The store receives a $5,000 bonus for its sale of the ticket.