Belleville Student Among Finalists in peta2's 'Cutest Vegetarian' Contest

The Vote Is On as Belleville-Area Musician Beats Out More Than 3,000 Contenders

For Immediate Release:
May 25, 2010

Contact:
Marta Holmberg  757-622-7382

Belleville, N.J. -- What does 18-year-old Belleville resident Eisen Pacheco have in common with Heroes cutie Milo Ventimiglia? Ventimiglia was a winner of PETA's Sexiest Vegetarian Alive contest, and Pacheco is one of the male finalists in the spin-off Cutest Vegetarian Alive contest sponsored by peta2, PETA's youth division. Pacheco beat out more than 3,000 contestants from across the U.S. Supporters can vote for their hometown favorite by visiting peta2.com or by clicking here. Two winners (one male and one female) will be announced on June 8, and each will win a professional photo shoot and star in a peta2 ad.

"More and more Americans are going vegetarian every day, and young people are leading the charge," says peta2 director Dan Shannon. "It's no wonder: Vegetarians are slimmer, trimmer, and healthier, on average, than meat-eaters, so they're bound to be a lot cuter too!"

A high school senior, Pacheco has been a vegetarian for nearly two years. He made the compassionate decision to change his diet after watching the compelling videos on peta2.com. Pacheco inspired his 16-year-old sister to go vegetarian, and his 11-year-old sister is also interested in going vegetarian. Pacheco has participated in anti-fur demonstrations in New Jersey, and he protested at a KFC in Florida. He passes out leaflets and stickers at school and teaches his classmates about animal rights issues. He is a vocalist in the band Lying With Jane, and he also enjoys photography.

To view photos and bios of all the finalists and to vote in the contest, please click here.