Photos: Middle Schooler Wins National Youth Award—and a Vegan Ice Cream Party—for Helping Animals
For Immediate Release:
September 24, 2025
Contact:
Sara Groves 202-483-7382
Whether he’s speaking out against bear-hunting or protesting the fashion industry’s cruel use of animal skins and furs, 12-year-old New Jersey resident Lionel Burton jumps at every chance to take a stand for animals—and his inspiring activism has earned him top honors in PETA Kids’ 2025 All-Star for Animals Contest. To celebrate Lionel’s win, PETA’s vegan ice cream truck made a special visit to his school and threw a dairy-free dessert party that delighted over a thousand students and staff! Lionel and his mother, Jo Ellen, are available for interviews.
A vegan since the age of four, Lionel often attends animal liberation protests, including opposing the use of animals as 4H “projects” at the county fair and marching in New York City’s Animal Liberation March. At local vegan food festivals, he can be seen handing out leaflets about the benefits of vegan eating and being kind to animals. He also enjoys sharing delicious vegan foods—including some of his favorites: black bean burritos, tofu stir-fry, and his dad’s homemade apple strudel—with his friends at school and at his church’s vegan potlucks.
“From marching for animal liberation to encouraging everyone to choose animal-friendly foods, Lionel’s compassion for animals sets a shining example for young people everywhere,” says PETA Vice President of Youth Programs Marta Holmberg. “Animals have a remarkable ally in Lionel, and PETA Kids is delighted to honor him for leading us all toward a kinder future.”
When he’s not out being a superhero for animals, Lionel enjoys long-distance running—just like his favorite animal, the wolf—and is often training for his next 5k race. He also loves to drum, participate in theater, and take care of his sweet senior rescue dog, Ariel. When he grows up, he wants to work with his dad to create more affordable housing to help everyone have a roof over their head.
In addition to the vegan ice cream party for his school, Lionel’s prizes include a special trophy, vegan cookies from Lunchbox cookies, and a PETA Kids T-shirt. His work on behalf of animals is shared on the PETA Kids website to help inspire kind kids everywhere. See the full contest details here.
PETA’s “I Scream” truck is currently on a nationwide tour to encourage everyone to scream their heads off for free vegan ice cream, which is kinder to animals, diners’ arteries, and the planet.
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information on PETA Kids, please visit PETAKids.com or follow PETA Kids on Facebook and Instagram.
