Casselberry Boy Receives PETA Award for Leading the Charge for Animal Rights

Sixth-Grader Rescues Shark From Certain Death, Raises $1,000 to Help Save Animals, and More

For Immediate Release:
September 25, 2012

Contact:
Kaitlynn Kelly 202-483-7382 

Casselberry, Fla. -- When 11-year-old Thomas Ponce, a sixth-grader at Casselberry's South Seminole Middle School, recently encountered an angler who had just caught a shark and planned to eat the animal, he began to plead for the shark's life. Thomas explained that sharks, like humans, are living, feeling beings and have every right to live. Moved by Thomas' sincerity and conviction, the man finally told him to go ahead and set the shark free. That's just one of many reasons why Thomas has won a Compassionate Kid Award from PETA Kids.

"The kindness and drive that this 11-year-old has demonstrated should serve as an inspiration to people of all ages," says Associate Director of Youth Outreach and Campaigns Marta Holmberg. "Thomas reminds all of us that you're never too young to speak out against cruelty to the most vulnerable among us."

The following list of Thomas' accomplishments so far could proudly be claimed by someone two or three times his age:

• Raised more than $1,000 for the 2011 PETA Pack, which raises money to help animals through training and sponsorship of all levels of runners, and won the PETA Pack Young Achiever Award
• Started an animal rights group at his school and is currently starting a second group called Fin Free, which focuses on the hideous practice of shark finning
• Organizes car washes and dog washes, with proceeds benefiting animals
• Has attended multiple protests against the abuse of animals, including at SeaWorld and the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
• Has written several essays on animal rights

Thomas—who aspires to be an animal rights attorney—will receive a framed certificate and a letter of appreciation from PETA Kids.

For more information, please visit PETAKids.com.