RIO RANCHO, N.M. — A Rio Rancho Public Schools student is headed to the Super Bowl after being selected as one of just five students nationwide to win tickets through a national heart health education program.
Sophia Farwell, a fifth-grade student at Ernest Stapleton Elementary School, was surprised with the announcement during a school assembly attended by classmates, teachers, school administrators, district leaders and representatives from the American Heart Association.
As part of the prize, Sophia received two tickets to Super Bowl LXI, scheduled for Feb. 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Sophia earned the opportunity through participation in the American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge and Finn’s Mission, a program that teaches students and families about heart health and lifesaving skills, including hands-only CPR.
The initiative is a partnership between the American Heart Association and the NFL and is designed to help students learn how to recognize and respond to cardiac emergencies while promoting healthy lifestyle habits.
Rio Rancho Public Schools Superintendent Robert W. Dodd said the district is proud of Sophia’s accomplishment, noting that she was selected from among students across the country.
School officials said the program not only rewards students for participation but also helps schools earn funding for physical activity and fitness equipment.
Sophia’s selection places her among just five national winners chosen to attend next year’s Super Bowl.
