Tia Blanco in the Running for peta2 Award

Vegan Pro Surfer Nominated for ‘Most Likely to Kick Butt for Animals’

For Immediate Release:
November 25, 2014

Contact:
Alexis Sadoti 202-483-7382

San Clemente, Calif. –

Whether she’s catching waves at the National Scholastic Surfing Association Open, taking home third place at the International Surfing Association’s World Junior Surfing Championship, or receiving the Orange County Rising Star of the Year award from the OC Register, vegan pro surfer Tia Blanco is an outspoken—and lifelong—advocate for animals. And now Tia—along with scores of businesses, musicians, athletes, and others—is up for a Libby Award from peta2, PETA’s youth division. Now in its ninth year, the Libby Awards (“Libby” is for “liberation,” as in animal liberation) includes a record 26 categories, and Tia may take home the award for Most Likely to Kick Butt for Animals. Visitors to peta2.com can cast their votes to help peta2 decide whom it should choose as the the Libby Award winners and enter for a chance to win a giant Libby prize pack filled with goodies from last year’s winners, including a cookbook, personal-care products, and vegan treats.

“Tia’s kindness to animals radiates through everything she does—in and out of the water,” says PETA Director of Youth Outreach and Campaigns Marta Holmberg. “All of peta2’s nominees are winners because they’re inspiring young people across the country to get active for animals every chance they get.”

Also up for an award in the same kick butt category are vegan professional wrestler Austin Aries, running back Le’Veon Bell of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and UFC fighter Thiago Alves. Other Libby Award categories include Best Use of Internet Stardom for Animals, Best Vegan Makeover, and Best New Vegan Food Item.

Voting ends on December 12 at 12 p.m. EST. Winners will be chosen by peta2—whose motto reads, “Animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, use for entertainment, or abuse in any other way”—based on several factors, including vote count, and will be announced on December 16. See the full contest details here.

For more information and to cast your vote to help peta2 decide whom it should choose as Libby Award winners, please visit peta2.com or click here.