McLean: USA TODAY and the National Milk Mustache “got milk?” Campaign have extended the application deadline for the 13th annual Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year (SAMMY) Awards through March 12, 2010. The SAMMY Awards recognize 25 outstanding high school senior student-athletes who represent excellence in academics, athletics, community service and leadership and include milk in their daily routines.
As part of the Body By Milk campaign, the SAMMY 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 from the Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP), an invitation to attend an awards weekend at Disney World and an opportunity to be pictured in a special Milk Mustache ad in a June 2010 edition of USA TODAY and other national publications.
Judging will be based on academic performance, athletic experience, leadership, community service and a milk experience essay. Preliminary judging will be conducted by a qualified group of educators and coaches who will select 75 finalists. A panel of Milk Mustache celebrity athletes including Andy Roddick, Steve Nash, Chauncey Billups, Dara Torres and Michelle Kwan will also serve as judges to help select the 25 winners.
Education partners for the SAMMY Awards include: the American Association of School Administrators, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education, the American School Counselor Association and the National School Public Relations Association.
Teachers, coaches, principals, guidance counselors, athletic directors, parents and relatives are encouraged to nominate a student athlete for the 2010 SAMMY Awards. High school seniors are also allowed and encouraged to nominate themselves.
Body By Milk is part of the National Milk Mustache “got milk?®” Campaign, a multi-faceted education program focused on the health benefits of milk. The campaign is managed by the Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP) in Washington, D.C., which is funded by the nation’s milk processors, who are committed to increasing fluid milk consumption.