Fifteen-Year-Old's Winning Attitude and Warm Heart Vault Him to the Top of Hundreds of Entries
For Immediate Release:
June 7, 2011
Contact:
Shakira Croce 202-483-7382
Martinsburg, W.Va. — More and more people are kicking the meat habit, and nowhere is that truer than among young people. After a field of more than 1,200 entrants was whittled down to 20 finalists, 15-year-old Martinsburg resident Corey Ketterman was chosen the male winner of the 2011 Cutest Vegetarian Alive contest sponsored by peta2, PETA's youth division. Visitors to peta2.com cast their votes last month to help peta2 determine a winner. The contest is a spinoff of PETA's annual Sexiest Vegetarian Alive contest, whose reigning king is trainer and The Biggest Loser star Bob Harper.
"Corey is a great example of how a healthy and humane vegetarian diet can make you look better on the outside and feel better on the inside," says peta2 Division Manager Marta Holmberg. "Going vegetarian—at any age—is the best thing that anyone can do for animals, the environment, and themselves."
Corey knew he was on the wrong track when he was consuming a lot of chicken and dairy products and became concerned about his health. So eight months ago, he cut meat out of his diet, and four months later, he went vegan. He's so happy about the way he feels now that he encourages his friends and family members to make the switch too. Apparently, his heartfelt pitch works because his mother recently went vegan. Now, Corey is getting active for animals and plans to raise money for a local group that fights animal abuse. His favorite dessert? The mouthwatering cakes, pies, and pastries from BabyCakes, a New York City–based vegan bakery.
Corey will hold the title for a full year. He and the female winner—19-year-old Madeline Smith of St. Louis—have each won a professional photo shoot and will star in a peta2 ad.
For more information and to view Corey's winning photo, please visit peta2.com or click here.
