Five year-old Turns Milk Container into $2,000 Scholarship

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"Milk and Art Contest" Sparks Imagination and Rewards Creativity

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Jul 09, 2015, 12:05 ET

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., July 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Milk Processor Board (CMPB), creator of got milk? and Toma Leche, announced today the grand prize winner of the "Milk and Art Contest." Five year-old Brooke Payan of Orange County, California won the $2,000 grand prize with a submission featuring a brown milk jug Daschund puppy named Rosemary.

"Brooke was overjoyed when she heard her little milk jug puppy won the contest," said Vivian Zavala, Brooke's mother. "This was a really fun project for us to work on together and she surprised me with her focus and creativity. I never imagined that my child would be winning her first college scholarship at the age of five, but I'm truly happy that we're getting a jumpstart on her future!" she added.

"I want to be an artist and a doctor so I can check people's hearts and breathing and then paint," shared Brooke.

The contest was launched on the got milk? and Toma Leche Facebook pages in late March and garnered a multitude of imaginative entries. This bonding activity for moms and kids served as both a creative outlet and reminder of the nutritional importance of milk. Nutrient-rich milk helps fuel daily activities that range from the creative – such as re-imagining a milk jug – to the athletic and academic.

The "Milk and Art Contest" was open to all California mothers with kids between the ages of 3 and 12. Participants were asked to create an original piece of art using a milk container and share a picture of their creation on their social media platforms using the hashtag #MilkAndArtContest for a chance to win a $2,000 grand prize towards their child's college education. Eight finalist entries were featured on the got milk? and Toma Leche Facebook pages and winners were selected by online voters who were encouraged to "like" their favorite entries. All winners are from Southern California.

1^st Place: Vivian Zavala – Orange County
2^nd Place: Claudia Sandoval – Los Angeles County
3^rd Place: Mary M. Mendoza – Los Angeles County

The 2^nd place winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship and 3^rd place winner a $500 scholarship.

"Congratulations to all of our winners," said Steve James, Executive Director of the CMPB. "Initiatives like the 'Milk and Art Contest' are creating memorable family moments while reminding us of the important role nutrition plays in ensuring a better future. We wish these children much success today and in their future college years," he added.

To see the winning entries and learn more about got milk? and upcoming contests visit: www.gotmilk.com and www.tomaleche.com. Follow got milk? via social media on Facebook @gotmilk, Twitter @gotmilk, Instagram @officialgotmilk and Toma Leche on Facebook @tomaleche, Twitter @tomaleche, Instagram @tomaleche.

About the CMPB
The California Milk Processor Board was established in 1993 to make milk more competitive and increase milk consumption in California. Awareness of got milk? is over 90% nationally and it is considered one of the most important and successful campaigns in history. Got milk? is a federally registered trademark that has been licensed by the national dairy boards since 1995. The CMPB's Spanish-language campaign began in 1994 using the tagline "Familia, Amor y Leche" (Family, Love and Milk). The TOMA LECHE (Drink Milk) campaign replaced it in 2006, in order to better align the English and Spanish language work. The CMPB is funded by all California milk processors and administered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

SOURCE California Milk Processor Board