A leading dairy processor in New England is handing out 18 $5,000 college scholarships to high school seniors who demonstrate integrity and sportsmanship on and off the field. Hood says it will award the scholarships to three high school seniors in each of six New England states – Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

“The Hood Sportsmanship Scholarship program recognizes exceptional high school seniors in New England,” said Lynne Bohan, spokesperson for Hood. “As we enter the sixth year of the program, we are proud to have invested $450,000 in 90 students who serve as role models in their classes, communities and on their respective sports teams.”

Entries will be accepted online at Hood.com now through March 6th, 2015. Students will be asked to complete the application form and write a short essay explaining how they display sportsmanship and integrity on and off the field. Voting will be open to the public March 23rd through April 24th, 2015, at Hood.com to determine the 10 finalists from each state who will then be interviewed by a panel of judges. The final 18 winners will be notified in May and be invited to attend an awards banquet where Gord Kluzak, retired Boston Bruins defenseman and current investment advisor at Goldman Sachs, will speak about the importance of sportsmanship.

The New England Sports Museum highlights real-life examples of how professional athletes have been able to excel while still maintaining a high degree of sportsmanship in its Sportsmanship Exhibit.