Skyline soccer goalie wins Milk Mustache scholarship

 Recent Skyline High School graduate Anna Cassell is off to college with the help of a $7,500 scholarship from the Milk Mustache “Got Milk” campaign and USA Today. Winners also had their photos published in the June 24 edition of USA today.

 Cassell, a three-time all-state goalkeeper, was one of the recipients to be honored with the Student Athlete Milk Mustache of the 2011 award. Each year, 25 outstanding high school seniors are recognized for their excellence in academics, athletics, community service and leadership, not to mention drinking milk.

 “When I applied for the scholarship I was initially attracted to it because of the amount of money being offered, but once I won, I realized what a huge honor it was to be among such amazing athletes and community activists. It turned out to be much more than just about the money,” Cassell said.

 Award applications were reviewed by a panel of judges including Milk Mustache celebrities such as 12-time Olympic swimming medalist, Dara Torres, New York Knicks point guard, Chauncey Billups, eight-time Olympic medal speed skater, Apolo Ono, former #1 world professional tennis player, Andy Roddick and Alpine Olympic skiing medalist, Lindsey Vonn.

 While playing soccer at Skyline, Cassell was team captain for three years and assisted on a game-tying final minute goal in this year’s state quarterfinals. She also stopped penalty kicks during a shootout that sent the Eagles to the semifinals for the first time in seven years. Cassell is also a National Merit Semi-Finalist.

 Part of Cassell’s prize was also an all expense paid trip for herself and two family members to Disney World for an awards weekend in mid-June. She took her mom and 14-year-old sister Sara.

 “The trip was great,” she said. “We walked in the parade and were honored at an awards dinner. Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward was there and I got to sit with Dara Torrez.”

 Cassell is the daughter of Paul and Trish Cassell. She will be attending Northwestern University this fall where she will play soccer for the Wildcats and study biology.