LYNNFIELD, MA. — Hood Has Provided $630,000 in college scholarships Since 2010. HP Hood, New England's leading dairy processor, awarded 18 high school seniors with a $5,000 Hood Milk sportsmanship scholarship. During a ceremony held at the TD Garden, three high school seniors from each of the six New England states – Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont – were honored for their integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the playing field. These students will also be included in the Sportsmanship Exhibit inside The Sports Museum at the TD Garden – one of the only sportsmanship exhibits in the country.

Hood has been committed to supporting local communities for more than 160 years. Now in its seventh year, the Hood Milk Sportsmanship Scholarship is one of the largest scholarship programs in New England and continues to receive thousands of applications from New England high school seniors. Ten finalists were determined from each state by a general public vote, which was followed by in-person interviews by a panel of independent judges who selected the winners from each state.

New this year, World Champion gymnast and team captain, Aly Raisman, partnered with Hood Milk to promote the program and the importance of good sportsmanship. Raisman provided a video message to the scholarship winners, which was aired during the banquet, that touched on the importance of hard work and the importance of good sportsmanship in her own career.

Gord Kluzak, former Bruins Defenseman and current investment adviser at Goldman Sachs, was in attendance to deliver an address on the importance of good sportsmanship. "I have been involved with the Hood Milk Sportsmanship Scholarship Program for the past three years and always look forward to discussing how sportsmanship, respect and integrity have played integral roles in both my professional and personal life," said Kluzak in a news release. "During my time with the Bruins, I learned that sportsmanship defines an athlete and has a far greater impact than a short term win. I'm proud to be part of this program."

The winners from Maine included:
Alicia Gaiero from Belfast who will be attending The University of Maine at Orono
Jessica Girsa from Millinocket who will be attending The University of Maine at Fort Kent
Hannah Morley from East Boothbay who will be attending The University of Rhode Island

Each applicant was required to meet the following in order to participate in the program:

• Minimum of 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.