8-Year-Old Demonstrates Kindness and Compassion for Animals
For Immediate Release:
November 21, 2011
Contact:
Shakira Croce 202-483-7382
Orleans, Mass. — First, she was chosen from among hundreds of photos and bios from across the country to be named one of five female finalists in PETA's fifth annual Cutest Vegetarian Kid contest. Now, thanks to getting top marks from voters and PETA judges, 8-year-old Trinnu Ashlie of Orleans has officially been crowned the female winner of the yearly contest. She will receive a special prize pack filled with PETA goodies and the opportunity to appear in her very own PETA Kids ad.
"Trinnu is a perfect example of what is so cute about vegetarian kids—their kindness and compassion," says PETA Assistant Manager Emily Nash. "Our winners demonstrate that even the youngest of us can take a stand and help animals simply by choosing to stick to healthy and humane vegetarian meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner."
Trinnu has been vegetarian all her life. She began visiting rescued farmed animals at Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, N.Y. before she was 1 year old. She even sponsored a pig who lived there, and now she's sponsoring a goat named Zuzu. Trinnu doesn't hesitate to speak out about the plight of animals to her friends and family. While addressing her kindergarten class about the abuse of animals raised and killed for food, she said, "It hurts my heart." Last year, Trinnu proudly led the local walk for farmed animals and chanted, "Don't eat meat!"
Trinnu's fellow winner, 5-year-old Owen Laszloffy, lives in Scottsdale, Ariz. The winners of PETA's contest were determined by the passion they demonstrated in their submitted responses, the number of votes they received from the public, the enthusiasm they demonstrated in living and promoting a vegetarian lifestyle, and PETA's assessment of the cuteness of their photos.
For more information, please visit PETAKids.com.