Hood® Sportsmanship Scholarship™ Winners Recognized at Gillette Stadium Ceremony

LYNNFIELD, Mass., May 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- HP Hood, New England's leading dairy processor, awarded 18 high school seniors $5,000 Hood® Sportsmanship Scholarships™ presented by Hood Milk during a ceremony at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, May 20. Three high school seniors from each of the six New England States – Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont – were honored for their integrity and sportsmanship on and off the playing field.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111116/NE07134LOGO )

HP Hood received more than 2,500 entries and 10 finalists in each state were determined by a general public vote, which was followed by in-person interviews by a panel of judges who identified the top three in each state.

"We were impressed by the quality of applicants that we received and overwhelmed by their commitment to good sportsmanship on the field, in the classroom and in their communities," said Lynne Bohan, Hood spokesperson.  "We wish each student – and all of the applicants – the best of luck as they start their college career."

New England Patriots guard Logan Mankins presented the scholarships and spoke to students about the importance of good sportsmanship.  The winners were also given a private tour of Gillette Stadium.  

Hood Milk awarded a total of 18 $5,000 college scholarships for a total of $90,000.

The winners included:

Connecticut

Hannah Fasano of Simsbury, Ethel Walker School; attending Iona College.

Erin Hillis of Hamden, Sacred Heart Academy; attending College of the Holy Cross.

Matthew Powers of Hamden, West Woods Christina Academy; attending Quinnipiac University.

Maine

Shauni Cowan of Scarborough, Scarborough High School; attending Rhodes College.

Haley Pelletier of Oakland, Messalonskee High School; attending University of New England.

Sarah Stanley of Sanford, Sanford High School; University to be determined.

Massachusetts


Ryan Eatherton of Tewksbury, Tewksbury Memorial HS; attending Emerson College.

Kaelyn Hilliard of Bridgewater, Bridgewater-Raynham Regional HS; attending Boston University.

Joseph Kuykendall of Andover, Andover High School; attending James Madison University.

New Hampshire


Leah Dewitt of Manchester, The Derryfield School; attending Cornell University.

Andreas Geiger of Londonderry, Londonderry High School; attending Wheaton College.

Melissa Lacoste of Nashua, Bishop Guertin High School; attending College of the Holy Cross.

Rhode Island


Sidra Ethier of Slatersville, North Smithfield High School; attending Boston University.

Mike Marsella of Wood River Junction, Chariho Regional High School; attending University of Virginia.

Joseph Nardolillo of Coventry, Coventry High School; attending University of Rhode Island.

Vermont


Beth Awhaitey of Burlington, Burlington High School; attending Colby-Sawyer College.

Jamie Cyr of Danville, The Danville School; attending Smith College.

Katherine Pouliot of Fair Haven, Fair Haven Union High School; attending Union College.

Each applicant was required to meet the following in order to participate in the program:

• Minimum of 3.0 GPA
• Participated in a varsity sport in high school
• Volunteered in his/her community
• Displayed a high degree of sportsmanship while participating in sports in high school

For more information, and rules and regulations, please visit Hood.com.

About Hood

Founded in 1846, today Hood is one of the largest branded dairy operators in the United States.  Hood is the number-one dairy brand in New England, and Hood's portfolio of national and super-regional brands and franchise products includes Hood, Crowley Foods, Simply Smart Milk, Heluva Good!, LACTAID®, BAILEYS® Coffee Creamers, HERSHEY®'S Milk and Milkshakes, Fiber One® Cottage Cheese and Blue Diamond Almond Breeze®. For more information about Hood, please visit www.Hood.com.

SOURCE HP Hood