Milk-Drinking Scholar Athletes Receive $7,500 College Scholarships

WASHINGTON, May 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Milk Mustache "got milk?®" Campaign and USA TODAY are pleased to announce the winners of the 2010 Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year (SAMMY) Awards. The SAMMY Award scholarship is given annually to 25 outstanding high school athletes who are top performers in athletics, academics, leadership and community service and also include milk on their training tables. This year, more than 40,000 high school seniors applied for the SAMMY Award.

Whether it's chocolate milk as a post-exercise recovery drink, starting the day with lowfat milk over cereal, or grabbing an afternoon latte with fat free milk, SAMMY Award winners know that making smart choices like eating right, exercising and drinking lowfat milk will help them stay at the top of their game in the classroom and their chosen sports. Each winner receives a $7,500 college scholarship and will star in a special Milk Mustache ad in USA TODAY on June 25, 2010. The winners also will attend a weekend of events in Disney World with their families that kicks-off with an opening ceremony featuring former SAMMY winner and bronze medal bobsledder Elana Meyers. The weekend activities conclude with an awards ceremony hosted by Milk Mustache celebrity guests NBA All-Star and Denver Nuggets point guard Chauncey Billups and gold medal gymnast Shawn Johnson.

Over the past 13 years, 325 teens have won the coveted SAMMY Award setting a positive example to their peers. This year's 25 winners were selected by a panel of superstar athlete Milk Mustache judges including Andy Roddick, Steve Nash, Chauncey Billups, Dara Torres and Michelle Kwan.

"I am continually impressed with our SAMMY Award winners and am delighted to reward and recognize these 25 exceptional student athletes," said Vivien Godfrey, CEO of the National Milk Mustache "got milk?®" Campaign. "SAMMY Award winners exemplify the benefits of making smart choices like choosing lowfat milk which provides nine essential nutrients they need."

2010 SAMMY Winners:

• Alexander Golovin—Round Lake, Ill.
• Alexandra Geesey—Palm Beach, Fla.
• Amanda Hall—Farmington, Maine
• Anne Rempel—Fresno, Calif.
• Ashley Vandolah—Choteau, Mont.
• Celeste Hoelzl—Wilton, Conn.
• David Daines—North Ogden, Utah
• Ellie McCardwell—Pendleton, Ind.
• Emma Lucken—Roseville, Minn.
• Eric Steingruber—Meridian, Idaho
• Hannah Fitton—Appleton, Wis.
• James Mackovjak—Silverdale, Wash.
• Katherine Skinner—Wading River, N.Y.
• Kathryn McVay—Leawood, Kan.
• Kyle Pollock—Wiggins, Colo.
• Laura Peterson—Omaha, Neb.
• Lauren Boden—Atlanta
• Leah Coates—Colonial Beach, Va.
• Mary Bennion—Medford, Ore.
• Nicholas Hadorn—Oxford, Mich.
• Shelby Lawson—Bowling Green, Ky.
• Stetson Thacker—Valley View, Ohio
• Tevin Hood—Scottsdale, Ariz.
• Wynton El—Albuquerque, N.M.
• Zakaraya Aossey—Austin, Texas

Refuel With Chocolate Milk

SAMMY Award winners know lowfat milk is a natural protein drink, and lowfat chocolate milk has become a staple in many athletes' recovery programs. Not only does chocolate milk provide protein to help build muscle, but it also contains the right mix of nutrients to help refuel after exercise. Milk provides fluids and important electrolytes (like calcium, magnesium and potassium) to help replenish what is lost in sweat, with the added benefit of nutrients not found in traditional sports drinks.

SAMMY is Just a Click Away

The SAMMY Awards are given once a year to 25 high school seniors. For more information on this year's SAMMY winners, other contests and news from the latest Milk Mustache celebrities, log on to BodyByMilk.com. Information and applications for the 2011 SAMMY Award program will be available on BodyByMilk.com in November 2010. Fans can follow the weekend activities and learn more about winners at Facebook.com/BodyByMilk or follow us on Twitter @BodyByMilk.

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.bodybymilk.com. Deutsch, A Lowe and Partners Company, is the creative agency for the National Milk Mustache "got milk?®" Campaign.

SOURCE The Milk Processor Education Program