Hood® Sportsmanship Scholarship® Winners Recognized at Gillette Stadium Ceremony

LYNNFIELD, Mass., May 20, 2013 /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 19. 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/20121206/NE25378LOGO )

HP Hood received more than 4,000 entries for this year's Scholarship program, 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.

As student debt continues to grow, New England students face an average debt of $28,383 upon graduation*, which underscores Hood's ongoing commitment to their scholarship program and supporting New England students. 

"Supporting our local communities is at the heart of what we do, and we are continually impressed by both the quality of applicants and the sportsmanship they display on and off the field," said Lynne Bohan, Hood spokesperson.  "We wish each student the very best as they embark on their college career and are proud to add them to the Hood Sportsmanship Scholarship Hall of Fame."

New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski, presented the scholarships and spoke to students about the importance of good sportsmanship. 

The winners included:

Connecticut
Alicia Biske of Vernon, Rockville High School; attending University of Connecticut.
Michele Merwin of North Haven, Sacred Heart Academy; attending Quinnipiac University.
Jacob Zapatka of Wethersfield, Wethersfield High School; attending Nichols College.

Maine
Sarah Caron of Boothbay Harbor, Boothbay Region High School; attending Wheaton College.
Mason Cyr of Freeport, Freeport High School; attending University of New England.
Kaileigh Lenentine of Sidney, Messalonskee High School; attending Husson University.

Massachusetts

Carolina Gonzalez of Springfield, Holyoke High School; attending Western New England University.
Michael Shea of Milford, Milford High School; attending United States Merchant Marine Academy.
Lucas Townsend of Amesbury, Amesbury High School; attending University of Massachusetts Lowell.

New Hampshire

Elizabeth Conway of Manchester, Manchester Central High School; attending Brown University.
Nicole Pettiglio of Westford, Bishop Guertin High School; attending Davidson.
Kylie Iassillo of Bow, Bow High School; attending University of Tampa.

Rhode Island

Eliza Decubellis of Narragansett, Narragansett High School; attending Harvard University.
Jacelyn Harrington of Exeter, Exeter West Greenwich Regional High School; attending University of New Hampshire.
Jaime LaFazia of North Smithfield, North Smithfield High School; attending Eastern Connecticut State University.

Vermont

Matthieu St Amour of Swanton, Missisquoi Valley Union High School; attending Middlebury College.
Rijad Mezetovic of Essex Junction, Essex High School; attending University of Vermont.
Alexandra Morrow of Townshend, Leland And Gray Union High School; attending Nichols 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.

*According to The Institute for College Access and Success (TICAS)

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 and Blue Diamond Almond Breeze®. For more information about Hood, please visit www.Hood.com.

SOURCE HP Hood