America’s Milk Processors (the folks who bring you the “got milk” and Milk Mustache ads) and USA TODAY are pleased to bring you the 11^th annual “Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year” (SAMMY) 2008 Award Program. 

The SAMMY 2008 Award Program recognizes outstanding scholar athletes in grade 12 from high schools throughout the contiguous United States.  An athlete from our high school could be one of the 25 winners to receive the following:

A $7,500 college scholarship from the Milk Processor Education Program;

An invitation for winners, parents and/or guardians to attend a SAMMY 2008 weekend at the Disney World Complex in Orlando, FL scheduled for June 2008; and

An opportunity to be pictured in a special congratulatory Milk Mustache ad in a June 2008 edition of USA TODAY and other national magazines.

From now until March 7, 2008 teachers, coaches, principals, guidance counselors, athletic directors, parents and relatives are encouraged to nominate a student athletes for the SAMMY 2008 Award.  Additionally, all high school seniors are allowed and encouraged to nominate themselves for the SAMMY 2008 Award.

Judging of the nominees will be based on five criteria:  academic performance (35%), athletic excellence (35%), leadership, (15%), community service (10%) and milk experience (5%).  Preliminary judging will be conducted by a qualified group of educators and coaches who will select 75 finalists.  A panel of celebrity athletes from the Milk Mustache campaign will choose the 25 winners.

PLEASE NOTE:  SAMMY 2008 applications will only be accepted online at www.bodybymilk.com until March 7, 2008. 

If you have any questions about the SAMMY program, please visit their website at www.bodybymilk.com