Milk Refuels and Rewards High School Seniors With $7,500 College Scholarships

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- High school student athletes who drink lowfat milk as part of a healthy lifestyle and grab chocolate milk to refuel after tough workouts now have the chance to score some extra cash from got milk?® for college. The National Milk Mustache "got milk?®" Campaign, in partnership with USA TODAY, is announcing the call for entries for the 14th 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 and include lowfat milk in their daily routines.

The SAMMY scholarship rewards exceptional student athletes by helping to offset some of the costs associated with college tuition. The scholarship helps educate teens on the value of making smart choices – like drinking lowfat milk, eating right and staying active. Twenty-five talented 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 and have a chance to help their favorite charity in the process. To date, the National Milk Mustache "got milk?" Campaign has awarded 325 talented high school seniors with nearly $2.5 million in scholarships.

"It's an honor for the national got milk? campaign to continue to reward such extraordinary student-athletes who not only excel in their respective sports and communities but also serve as advocates for drinking milk," said Vivien Godfrey, chief executive officer of the National Milk Mustache "got milk?" campaign. "Lowfat chocolate milk has the right combination of carbohydrates and protein making it a great choice to help refuel and recover after a tough workout."

High school seniors who excel in the classroom, on the sports field and in their communities are encouraged to visit www.bodybymilk.com and submit an application. This year's winners will be selected by a celebrity panel of Milk Mustache athletes, including Apolo Ohno, Chauncey Billups, Dara Torres, Andy Roddick and Lindsey Vonn.

"I am so excited to be championing the 2011 SAMMY Awards this year to connect with these exceptional student athletes," said speed skating superstar Apolo Ohno "I recently joined the Milk Mustache campaign, and as a judge for SAMMY, this is a great opportunity to pass on my tips for staying ahead of the game. My coaches and trainers agree -- grabbing lowfat chocolate milk after a strenuous workout helps me get nutrients back into my body quickly to help me refuel for the next race."

Your Workout's Finished. Your Body Isn't.

Chocolate milk is making star appearances in locker rooms around the country as more athletes and top level coaches discover the benefits of refueling with lowfat chocolate milk after training. Experts agree that the two-hour window after exercise is an important, yet often neglected, part of a fitness routine. And, when it comes to recovery, lowfat chocolate milk offers post-exercise benefits. It includes the right mix of protein and carbohydrates to repair and refuel exhausted muscles, plus fluids and electrolytes to rehydrate and help replenish what's lost in sweat. With nine essential nutrients, lowfat chocolate milk contains key vitamins and minerals athletes need every day.

APPLY NOW: Score big with SAMMY

High school seniors who are interested in applying for the 2011 SAMMY Awards program should visit www.bodybymilk.com. All applicants are required to describe in 250 words or less how they refuel with milk while excelling in academics, athletics, community service and leadership.

Entries must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM ET Friday, March 4, 2011. For complete contest rules, applications, tips and exclusive Milk Mustache celebrity videos, log onto www.bodybymilk.com/sammy.

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

SOURCE MilkPEP