Voting Phase Begins For Hood® Sportsmanship Scholarship® Program Presented By Hood Milk

LYNNFIELD, Mass., March 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- HP Hood, New England's leading dairy processor, announced today that the online voting period for the Hood® Sportsmanship Scholarship® Program presented by Hood Milk has commenced. From now until April 15th, applicants are encouraged to engage their communities to vote for their application on Hood.com.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111116/NE07134LOGO)

The general public will be able to vote for the Hood Scholarship applicant who best displays the qualities of good sportsmanship to determine who will be named a finalist. From thousands of applicants, the top 10 applicants with the most votes in each of the six New England states will compete for one of three $5,000 scholarships in their state (18 total scholarships) through the final interview process.  Since 2010, Hood has donated more than $270,000 to deserving students as part of this program.

The final 18 winners will be notified in May and invited to attend an awards banquet and Hood Sportsmanship Scholarship Hall of Fame induction at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on May 19th.  New England Patriots player Danny Woodhead will be on hand to talk to the students about how sportsmanship has played an integral role in his life and career.

"Hood Milk is proud to provide recognition to student athletes throughout New England who serve as role models in all facets of their lives," said Lynne Bohan, spokesperson for HP Hood. "Whether on the field or court, in their community, or in the classroom, these young adults represent their families and communities with pride. We encourage friends, family members and the community to visit Hood.com by April 15th to cast their votes and help local students earn scholarship funds."

The Hood Sportsmanship Scholarship presented by Hood Milk was open to high school seniors in the six New England states. Students must be attending a two- or four-year accredited college or university in the fall of 2013 and meet the following criteria:

* Minimum of a 3.0 GPA

* Participated in a varsity sport in high school

* Volunteered in his/her community

* Displayed a high degree of sportsmanship while participating in sports in high school

For more information, and rules and regulations, please visit Hood.com, Facebook.com/HPHood or find HP Hood on Twitter.

About Hood 
Founded in 1846, today Hood is one of the largest branded dairy operators in the United States.  Hood is the number-one dairy brand in New England, and Hood's portfolio of national and super-regional brands and franchise products includes Hood, Crowley Foods, Simply Smart Milk, Heluva Good!, LACTAID®, BAILEYS® Coffee Creamers, HERSHEY'S® Milk and Milkshakes and Blue Diamond Almond Breeze®. For more information about Hood, please visit www.Hood.com.

SOURCE HP Hood