Attention high school vegetarians

If you’re a high school senior and a committed vegetarian, you may be eligible to win one of two $5,000 scholarships offered by the Vegetarian Resource Group (VRG), a Baltimore-based nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the vegetarian lifestyle.

There are many different reasons teens choose a meatless lifestyle.  Some express animal rights concerns, and others are vegetarian out of religious or cultural belief.  Still other teens point to diet and health concerns along with food likes and dislikes.

According to the PETA2 website, the number of vegan college students (no meat or animal products) has more than doubled nationwide since 2005, and the number of vegetarian or vegan dining options offered by colleges and universities has taken off in terms of variety and creativity. 

Regardless of your reasons for being vegetarian, if you have a sincere commitment and have promoted vegetarianism in your school or community, you may enter the scholarship competition by downloading and completing an application form provided on the VGR website.  

You will be asked to provide a high school transcript, three recommendations, documentation related to your promotion of vegetarianism, and an essay addressing a series of questions related to your lifestyle and goals.

Entries may only be sent by students graduating from high school in spring 2014 and must be received on or before February 20, 2014.  Early submission is encouraged.

And if you’d like to get even further involved in the Vegetarian Resource Group, you may apply for a VRG internship in their Baltimore office on through a long-distance arrangement.  Positions are open throughout the year for all ages and credit may be arranged for high school volunteer or service learning work hours.

Although most internships come without salary, VGR does offer one $2,500 paid internship at the VGR Baltimore office (plus a stipend for housing).  To apply, students may email a resume, writing sample, and cover letter detailing interests, skills, goals, and vegetarian knowledge.

Both scholarship and internship applications may also be sent to 

The Vegetarian Resource Group

P.O. Box 1463

Baltimore, Maryland  21203