CULVER — The Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP) and USA Today have chosen Plymouth native and Culver Girls Academy senior Alex Banfich as one of the 25 winners of the 11th annual “Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year” (SAMMY 2008) Award Program. 

She was selected from a pool of nearly 65,000 applicants. Judging of the SAMMY 2008 nominees was based on five criteria: Academic performance, athletic excellence, leadership, community service, and applicants’ milk experience essay. Preliminary judging was conducted by a qualified group of educators and coaches who selected the 75 finalists. A panel of celebrity judges (Mia Hamm, Tony Hawk, Michelle Kwan, Steve Nash and Andy Roddick) then selected the final winners. As a winner, Alex will receive the following: A $7,500 college scholarship from Milk which will be forwarded directly to the college or university she plans to attend (Princeton); an invitation for her and her parents and/or guardians to attend a SAMMY 2008 weekend June 27 through 29 at the Disney World Complex in Orlando; an opportunity to be pictured in special congratulatory Milk Mustache ads in June editions of USA Today and “ESPN Magazine.
Alex looks to defend her 1,600 and 3,200-meter state championships on Friday at Indiana University.
Victories in those races would make her the most decorated runner in Indiana high school history, with a total of eight state championships in cross country (three) and track and field (five) combined.