Three Californians Make Final 10 in PETA’s ‘2014 Cutest Vegan Kids’ Contest

Any of These Bright, Energetic Children Could Wind up Starring in an Ad

For Immediate Release:
February 27, 2014

Contact:
Sophia Charchuk 202-483-7382

Five-year-old Draven Mendez of Redlands, 6-year-old Gavin DeRosier of Walnut, and 12-year-old Gianna Cox of Los Angeles are in the running to be America’s next child star. That’s because these Californians are three of five male and five female finalists in PETA Kids’ 2014 Cutest Vegan Kids contest, and now it’s up to voters to help PETA Kids decide whom it should pick as the winners—one boy and one girl—who will be announced on March 3. Voting ends at 12 noon EST on March 3, and each winner will receive a PETA Kids prize pack and appear in a PETA Kids ad.

“Draven, Gavin, and Gianna are very proud that they made the choice to go vegan, and their smart decision could soon place one—or even two—of them in the national spotlight,” says PETA Director of Youth Outreach and Campaigns Marta Holmberg. “Everyone who goes vegan is already a winner because they save the lives of nearly 100 animals every year.”

Draven’s entire family is vegan, and he’s dead set against harming other living beings—no matter their species. His favorite foods include mung beans and rice, vegan pizza, and mangoes. He’s also a big fan of dinosaurs and loves to entertain his family with his T. rex impersonations.

Gavin says he’s vegan because he wants to help stop animal suffering and because he loves all of the delicious food options available. His favorites include vegan chocolate pudding, coconut milk, and gluten-free macaroni with dairy-free cheese. And in true PETA fashion, he’s ardently opposed to the imprisonment of orcas at SeaWorld.

Gianna is an honor student and has been vegan since she was 2. In her free time, she protests the circus and speaks out against zoos. Her favorite foods include pasta, vegan Sloppy Joes, and vegan chicken piccata—and she loves talking about and sharing her lunch with her nonvegan friends.

PETA Kids will select the winners based on several factors, including vote count. See the full contest details here. For more information and to cast your vote to help PETA Kids decide whom it should choose as the winners, please visit PETAKids.com/CutestVegan.