Vegetarian Journal - Issue 4 2010 - The Vegetarian Resource Group

“The next month, I got together a group of 18students—vegetarians and non-vegetarians—to conducta taste test. The group explained how vegetarian luncheswere desirable to all students because they provided asense of freedom within the lunch line. Such offeringswere also beneficial for schools with a diverse studentbody, especially ones including students searching forkosher and meat-free options. The addition of suchoptions adds a sense of sophistication among schoolsand is something that can be noted on a school’s profile.“As a result of my study, changes were in fact implementedin my high school’s cafeteria. A vegetarianlunch that students could request any day of the weekis now offered, with options including a daily salad line,a potato bar, taco salads, meatless bean burritos, andpita bread with hummus. The changes stirred a positiveresponse from students who desired more options.Teachers benefited as well from the new selections allowingthem to pursue healthier options. I even receivedcountless e-mails and phone calls from parents thankingme for my efforts since the options were madeavailable to all school levels, including elementary.”“I even received countless e-mailsand phone calls from parentsthanking me for my effortssince the options were madeavailable to all school levels,including elementary.”One teacher stated, “I have personally witnessedthe enthusiasm for the vegetarian options here in ourbuilding; also, our cafeteria director told me that theteens and children all over the county are purchasingthese options ... enough, so that we are now in thesecond full year. We all know that if something isn’tfinancially effective, the system will pull it.” All studentsin Head Start, elementary school, middle school, andhigh school in Nina’s school district now have a vegetarianoption available upon request.Nina has also testified twice in front of the SenateCommittee on Nutrition in Washington. She testifiedin the role of teen advocate for vegetarian and veganschool lunch choices nationwide.In March 2010, she spoke at a Congressional hearingabout obtaining more plant-based options in ourschools. She met with her senator and her representativeabout the matter and spoke about her story and howsuch options are very important, especially for youth,for whom the best meal of their day is often the onethey receive at school.Dr. Neal Barnard of the Physicians Committee forResponsible Medicine (PCRM) said, “Let me offer thestrongest possible recommendation in support of NinaGonzalez .... Nina is an intelligent, highly motivated,and effective advocate for vegetarian diets, and is a“Last year, she presented oralcomments before the U.S. DietaryGuidelines Advisory Committee.”future leader in efforts for healthy and compassionatenutrition practices .... Last year, she presented oral commentsbefore the U.S. Dietary Guidelines AdvisoryCommittee .... Her comments were among the mosteffective heard by the committee that day.”Nina has also leafleted through Vegan Outreachnear the University of Mary Washington and handedout pamphlets at several outdoor concerts and events.In addition, see the video from her junior year researchproject at .Like Melissa, Nina is also a top athlete. She participatesin golf, cross country, and tennis. Nina qualifiedfor the Virginia State Golf Championships in both thegirls and boys division.One of her references wrote, “Nina is one of thenicest and most welcoming people I’ve ever met ....I can’t imagine that there is a high school student anywherewho deserves this scholarship more than Nina.She is a great natural leader and an inspiration to allwho are around her .... In such a divisive culture welive in, she’s a breath of fresh air. She’s a serious activistwho takes on issues important to her in a way thateducates and changes minds without alienating orbelittling people who disagree.”Thank you to all our scholarship entrants for their hardwork and effort to bring about a better world.To enter next year’s $5,000 scholarship contest forhigh school seniors, visit for applicationdetails. The application is due Monday,February 21, 2011. Please submit early.If you would like to fund additional scholarships,you can go to our donation page at or send a contribution to The Vegetarian ResourceGroup, P.O. Box 1463, Baltimore, MD 21203.20 Vol. 29, Issue Four 2010 VEGETARIAN JOURNAL