University of Rochester Student in the Running for peta2 Award

Dedicated Activist Never Passes Up an Opportunity to Speak Out for Animals

For Immediate Release:
November 20, 2013

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

If you visit the University of Rochester campus and happen to pick up on the buzz among hundreds of students about the health, environmental, and animal-related benefits of going vegan, it won’t be long before you hear the name Simone Arnold. That’s because Arnold, a sophomore, is the power behind the school’s fast-growing animal rights presence. For her unwavering support and knowhow when it comes to promoting respect for animals, Arnold is in the thick of the competition to be named Street Teamer of the Year by peta2, PETA’s youth division, in the  2013 Libby Awards.

“Simone is a perfect example of a peta2 Street Teamer—someone who speaks up for animals, doesn’t back down, and always stays positive,” says PETA Director of Youth Outreach and Campaigns Marta Holmberg. “All our nominees are winners because they’re inspiring other young people to take a stand against the abuse of animals, wherever and whenever it occurs.”

Among her other animal-related activities, Arnold runs the Student Association of Vegan and Vegetarian Youth (SAVVY), which organizes month-long vegetarian challenges. Last year’s challenge—which encourages meat-eaters to go vegetarian and vegetarians to go vegan—involved nearly 200 students. She also organized a vegan mentoring program, which hooks up interested students with experienced vegan students who can help them with the transition. Arnold won a $1,000 grant from the Pollination Project, which she put toward SAVVY’s annual—and very successful—Meat Out event.

Voting ends on December 13. Winners will be chosen by peta2 based on several factors, including vote count, and will be announced on December 17. See the full contest details here.

For more information and to cast your vote  to help peta2 decide whom it should choose as the winners, please visit peta2.com/Libbys.