Judith Bennett (right) and her daughter, Jessica, pose for a photo after Judith collected a $100,000 Lottery prize.

The thrill of winning $30,000 turned into elation for a Monroe woman when she realized she’d actually won $100,000 playing the Michigan Lottery’s $100 Grand Cashword instant game.

Judith Bennett, 55, bought the winning ticket at the Oasis gas station, located at 15522 South Telegraph Road in Monroe.

“When I had scratched off six words, I started to get excited,” said Bennett. “When I revealed 10 words, I was stunned. I had to double check my ticket to make sure I won.

“At first, I thought I had won $30,000 because I thought I was playing a $2 ticket. It wasn’t until I rechecked my ticket later that I learned I won $100,000.”

Bennett’s winning ticket.

The player visited Lottery headquarters Tuesday to claim the big prize. With her winnings, she plans to remodel her kitchen, visit her mother in Pennsylvania, and buy a nice used car.

“I play Cashword pretty religiously and it’s finally paid off in a big way,” Bennett said.

Players have won more than $11.6 million playing $100,000 Grand Cashword, which launched in March 2016. Each $3 ticket offers players a chance to win prizes ranging from $3 up to $100,000. More than $15.5 million in prizes remain, including five $100,000 top prizes and 134 $1,000 prizes.

Lottery instant games may be purchased at 11,000 retailers across the state.

In 2016, Lottery players won nearly $817 million playing instant games.