Washington (June 17, 2009) – Working hard in the classroom, playing hard on the court and making smart choices including drinking milk has paid off for Heather Adams from Centennial High School, who was awarded the Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache Athlete of the Year (SAMMY) Award by The National Milk Mustache “got milk?^®” Campaign and USA TODAY.

The SAMMY Award provides $7,500 college scholarships to high school senior student athletes who are top performers in the classroom, in their respective sports, communities and also include milk as part of their daily routine. The scholarship is awarded to 25 outstanding high school athletes who drink milk to stay fit. This year, the winners were selected from nearly 55,000 applicants.

As a 2009 SAMMY winner, Adams will join the ranks of previous SAMMY winners and Milk Mustache celebrities who serve as role models to teens across the country. In addition to the scholarship, Adams will attend an awards weekend at Disney World in Orlando, Fla. With her family where they will attend an awards ceremony with Milk Mustache celebrity guests, Kurt Warner, professional football player and Michelle Kwan, decorated figure skater, and will be inducted to the SAMMY Hall of Fame at The Milk House at Disney's Wide World of Sports^®. All of the SAMMY winners will don the famous Milk Mustache in their Body By Milk ad that will appear in USA TODAY on June 26, 2009.

“I am so impressed by all 25 of the extremely talented SAMMY winners this year. I'm thrilled that we can continue to recognize and reward students like Heather Adams for making smart choices both in and outside of the classroom and for continuing to make milk a part of their path to success,” said Vivien Godfrey, CEO of the National Milk Mustache “got milk?” Campaign.

Now more than ever students and their parents are looking for ways to help pay for college, and the SAMMY Award aims to help with the rising costs of college tuition by rewarding exceptional student athletes. Over the past 12 years, 300 teens have been inducted into the SAMMY Hall of Fame at The Milk House at ESPN's Wide World of Sports. A panel of Milk Mustache celebrity judges including Andy Roddick, Steve Nash, Mia Hamm, Michelle Kwan and Tony Hawk helped select this year's winners. 

 “I am so proud to be a SAMMY Award winner and also to have my own Milk Mustache ad!” said Adams. “Milk has always been a part of how I keep healthy and fit, so it's fitting that the National Milk Mustache “got milk?^®” Campaign is now helping me with college!”

Adams' commitment to academics, athletics, leadership and community service earned her a spot as one of the 25 SAMMY Award winners. Specifically, her achievements include maintain an A++ average throughout high school and being in the top 1% of her class, while traveling and competing on the Idaho Flash All-Star basketball team, making All-State for basketball and All-Conference for soccer. Outside of school Adams has also dedicated much of her time to community service including serving as a role model and coach for young female and disabled athletes in her community.

SAMMY Award winners know choosing milk instead of sugary drinks is not only a healthier option; it may also help them look and feel their best. Milk is a natural nutrient powerhouse that provides an array of essential nutrients that teenagers need including calcium and vitamin D. Lowfat or fat free milk is a great choice after exercise, with protein to help build muscle and a unique mix of nutrients and fluids to help refuel and rehydrate. By drinking three eight-ounce servings of lowfat or fat-free milk each day in place of sugary drinks with little or no nutritional value, along with regular exercise and eating smart, teens can help keep their bodies looking toned and healthy.

The SAMMY Award is given once a year to 25 high school seniors. For more information on this year's SAMMY winners, other fun contests and information about the latest Milk Mustache celebrities, log on to bodybymilk.com. Information and applications for the 2010 SAMMY Award program will be available on bodybymilk.com this fall.

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. Lowe New York is the creative agency for the National Milk Mustache "got milk?^®" Campaign.