High School Seniors Who Start Their Day With Milk Can Start College With A Scholarship

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Milk knows that breakfast fuels your daily successes and now we want to help set you up for a lifetime of success!  The National Milk Mustache "got milk?®" Campaign, in partnership with USA TODAY, is announcing the call for entries for the 15th annual Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year (SAMMY) Award program. The SAMMY Awards recognize 25 outstanding high school senior student athletes who represent excellence in academics, athletics, community service and leadership who make the most of their days by grabbing nutrient rich milk with breakfast.

The SAMMY scholarship rewards exceptional high school seniors by helping to offset some of the costs associated with college tuition. The scholarship helps educate teens and families on the value of making smart choices – like drinking lowfat milk, starting their day with a nutrient rich breakfast and maximizing their potential to achieving great things both on and off the sports field. Twenty-five accomplished teens will receive a $7,500 college scholarship, attend an awards ceremony with celebrity guests at Disney World and be pictured in a special Milk Mustache ad in USA TODAY. To date, the National Milk Mustache "got milk?" Campaign has supported 350 talented high school seniors with nearly $2.5 million in scholarships over the SAMMY program's 15 year history.

"Students who start every morning with milk truly reap the rewards all day long," said Vivien Godfrey, chief executive officer of the National Milk Mustache "got milk?" campaign. "That's why we are excited to reward theses students for their successes in academics, athletics and community service. Breakfast with milk helps set the tone for the day and is a healthy habit that provides much needed nutrients."

High school seniors who excel in the classroom, on the sports field and in their communities are encouraged to visit www.facebook.com/MilkMustache and submit an application. This year's winners will be selected by a celebrity panel of Milk Mustache role models who understand milk at breakfast helps set the tone for achievement throughout the day. Judges include: Dara Torres, Chauncey Billups and other Milk Mustache alumni.

"As a judge I'm looking for exceptional students that have formed healthy habits to help fuel their successes. Starting the day with milk is one healthy habit I know I can count on," said mother, and Milk Mustache athlete and gold-medal winner Dara Torres. "Whether it's a glass of white milk to nourish at breakfast or chocolate milk to help refuel their bodies after a tough workout, no other beverage plays so many roles."

Milk at Breakfast Fuels Successful Days

As leaders in their classrooms, their communities and on the sports fields, SAMMY Award winners know that a good breakfast with milk helps give them the energy, confidence and nourishment they need to get through their day. With its nine essential nutrients, milk helps make breakfast more complete. Whether in a glass, cup or bowl, it enhances the nutritional value of the morning meal. Mornings without milk make it difficult to make up for the nutrient shortages later in the day. In fact, studies show that milk drinkers and breakfast eaters have more nutritious diets and tend to be leaner than non-milk drinkers and breakfast skippers.  

APPLY NOW: Achieve Your Potential with SAMMY

High school seniors who are interested in applying for the 2012 SAMMY Awards program should visit www.facebook.com/MilkMustache. All applicants are required to describe in 250 words or less how milk with breakfast helps them to achieve their fullest potential in academics, athletics, community service and leadership. Entries must be submitted no later than March 9, 2012. For complete contest rules, applications, tips and exclusive Milk Mustache celebrity videos, log onto www.facebook.com/MilkMustache.

About the National Milk Mustache "got milk?"® Campaign

The Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP), Washington, D.C., is funded by the nation's milk processors, who are committed to increasing fluid milk consumption. The National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board, through MilkPEP, runs the National Milk Mustache "got milk?"® Campaign, a multi-faceted campaign designed to educate consumers about the health benefits of milk.  For more information, go to www.Facebook.com/MilkMustache. Deutsch, A Lowe and Partners Company, is the creative agency for the National Milk Mustache "got milk?"® Campaign.

SOURCE The Milk Processor Education Program