Isabella became a vegan in eighth grade after being exposed to information concerning the treatment of animals and the environmental impact behind producing animal products. Following are excerpts that she wrote about her outreach activities.

I worked with Food Not Bombs during the beginning of high school. I would help serve fresh, homemade vegetarian meals to the homeless prepared by members along with day-old pastries and breads donated by The Panera Bread Company. We would bring food to two separate locations on the intercoastal where the homeless know they can get a hot meal. For our school Environmental and Cosmos meetings, I contribute by preparing large dishes so everyone can enjoy a healthy lunch. My most popular dishes are quinoa salad, homemade hummus, vegan samosas with homemade mango chutney, guacamole, black bean and corn salsa, pasta salads, vegan chocolate chip rosemary cookies, and pumpkin banana bread. It is my way of proving to my peers that vegan food isn’t bland.

Since sophomore year I’ve sold my vegan granola everywhere at school: at my locker, during lunch, and between classes. It has happened more than once that a friend has interrupted my teacher during one of my classes to buy some of my granola (most of my teachers don’t mind, since they enjoy my granola as well.)

My experience with my school garden has been the true delight of my high school career. Currently, there are plans to erect a greenhouse at my school using the money we received when I wrote a grant request to the Whole Foods Garden Grant. Through my journey of cooking for others and showing them the wonder of plants in the garden and through my art, I hope to extend the joy I have received from living life compassionately.

This summer Izzy will be coordinating vegetarian food for her job leading volunteers on the Appalachian Trail in New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts.

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