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Lena couple win trip to the Super Bowl
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The Ortizes Jose and Jacqueline Ortiz of Lena won tickets off of a Pepsi bottle top for Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis last month. The pair spent the weekend in the Twin Cities enjoying the festivities and the football game, courtesy of Pepsi. (Photo supplied)
LENA - A bottle of Pepsi can sometimes be a rewarding beverage that leaves a refreshing taste. Other times a Pepsi is a beverage that rewards a purchase with an expenses-paid trip to the Super Bowl.

Jose Ortiz of Lena grabbed a bottle and later, while helping his son with snow pants, realized he had won two tickets to the Super Bowl. Pepsi gave Ortiz and his wife, Jacqueline (Hess) Ortiz, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis Feb. 4.

"It was really amazing," said Jacqueline, a 2004 Monroe graduate and currently a Spanish teacher at Le-Win High School.

The couple took the entire trip in stride, hanging out with football players and the press at places like the Mall of America and the downtown convention center.

"ESPN was there, the NFL Network. They were all doing live interviews. They had the Super Bowl trophy on display, and you could wait in line to get your picture taken with it," Jacqueline said. "I made Jose get a picture with the Eagles cheerleaders."

Pepsi also sponsored the NFL's "Super Bowl Experience" at the Minneapolis Convention Center, which consisted of an interactive theme park, a virtual reality in-game experience, autographs and photos with players, an NFL shop and games for children. The event was the day before the game, and the Ortizes received free entry to the event.

Though the couple are Bears fans, each had their own allegiance for the game.

"He was for New England, and I wanted Philadelphia to win," Jacqueline said. The Eagles won 41-33.

The couple took several pictures and kept their friends on social media entertained with their trip. The halftime show featuring Justin Timberlake, Jacqueline said, was unique.

"I was actually afraid we'd miss the commercials, but they played some on the big screen. We DVR'd it, anyway," Jacqueline said.