Inspire your students to strive for their highest goals. Encourage them to continue their education. Help them seek opportunities to make those dreams possible. Like all parents, single parents want their children to “achieve more.” We are constantly striving to insure our children a brighter future. One way to do this is to encourage our children to attend college. Of course, along with instilling the desire for education comes the stress of paying for it. Which leads us to scholarships.

Over the next few months I will be highlighting national scholarship opportunities for our graduating students. Please encourage your high school seniors to apply for as many scholarships as possible. The competition is stiff and the more opportunities for which they apply, the more likely they are to receive needed funds for education. I hope that the opportunities I highlight will be beneficial to many of my readers and their students. Please provide feedback to me by clicking on the Contact link at the side of any of the Single Parents pages.

The National “got milk?” Milk Mustache campaign and USA Today have just announced the 13th annual Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year (SAMMY) award. This scholarship recognizes 25 “outstanding, milk-drinking student athletes who excel in academics, athletics, community service and leadership.” Milk Mustache celebrity judges help select high school senior athletes from across the country to receive a $7,500 college scholarship to be presented at an awards ceremony at Disney in Orlando, Florida and an opportunity to appear in their own milk mustache ad.

Applicants must be a full-time senior in a state-accredited public or private school, in good standing, who participates in high school or club sports during their senior year. Full details of eligibility can be found at http://bodybymilk.com. Click on the link for Official Rules for a PDF document containing all details.

Scholarship applicants are judged in the following categories: Athletic Excellence – 35%; Academic Achievement – 35%; Leadership – 15%; and Citizenship/Community Service – 15%. Applicants should complete an official application form to be found at www.BodyByMilk.com and compose an essay on the topic, “How Milk Has Helped in my Academics and/or Athletics.” The essay must be type-written, double-spaced and now more than 250 words. All applications must be received before March 5, 2010. Winners will be announced by June 2010.

Applicants are reviewed by regions, with the United States being divided into 25 regions. The competition is judged in three rounds. Judges for the semi-finalist round consist of individuals selected by USA Today. The applicant pool will be narrowed down to 20 applicants from each region during this round. The finalist round will be judged by retired teachers and athletic coaches selected by USA Today. At this time, the applicant pool will be narrowed to three individuals from each region. The final selections will be made by the USA Today celebrity panel.