At the age of 16 she won People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) "Making Kind Choices" Essay Contest.
Won numerous awards in speech competitions (known as forensics) during high school as well as serving as forensics captain during her junior and senior year.
In high school, she founded and served as president for her school's first animal rights club - Youth for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Y.E.T.A).