Posted October 27, 2010 by Marta Holmberg
Recently, at Concordia High School in Kansas, an agricultural project was assigned where students were expected to choose a chick, raise and feed the chicken for six weeks, and then, when the time came, kill the chicken. One student, Whitney Hillman, couldn’t stand the thought of killing her chicken, Chicklett, so when the time came, Hillman put the chicken in her purse and ran away from school. This action landed her in a two-day in-school suspension—but Chicklett was saved and sent to live on a farm. Does newly-vegetarian Whitney regret her action? Find out in my Q&A with her below!
What made you decide to rescue Chicklett?
There were several moments throughout the project when I told my teacher that I wasn’t going to do this, I didn’t want to participate and that I wanted to keep Chicklett. I was never excused from the “broiler project.” Tears became a normal ending to most of my days during these weeks. The time grew nearer and my pain grew stronger. I began telling my friends and family that I was just going to take Chicklett and put him into my purse, but I didn’t really think that I would. The more I spoke out, the more some students would begin to make fun of me. My job was [supposed] to [be] pluck[ing] the feathers from my chicken and other chickens’ dead bodies. I began picturing Chicklett’s lifeless body … The weekend before the scheduled Monday slaughter, I talked and cried to my mother. I decided that I didn’t have to slit Chicklett’s throat just because I am being told to. I would never have forgiven myself had I decided to be a follower and kill the animal I raised, fed, cared for, named and that I loved. Chicklett trusted me. I knew that weekend that I had no other choice but to rescue Chicklett and get him to a safe place prior to turning myself in.
What is your favorite thing about Chicklett?
It’s very difficult to choose just one thing about this beautiful animal. If I have to narrow it down to just one thing, then it would be the sweet sounds he makes when you hold and cuddle him.
What do you think about the McCruelty campaign?
This one spawns a lot of passion from me. I am familiar with and aware of the campaign. I applaud the fact that PETA and people are standing up to a company that markets itself toward children and families, while behind closed doors the rooms are filled with agony and horror for so many helpless animals. The depth of pain and suffering that these animals endure is hard to fathom and impossible to measure. We are so overfed as a nation already and the food is getting faster by the moment. The bottom dollar and speed of output outweighs human compassion for the animal designated a McMeal for a child unaware of the ultimate sacrifice paid for that “happy meal.” I believe the solution lies in the same manner in which McDonald’s built its empire; exposure. Through exposure and education, one by one the message to stop promoting, buying, and eating abused animals will be heard. In addition, the campaign serves as an accountability measure not only for McDonald’s, but for other food industries as well. The videos wreak havoc on my emotions, but I make myself watch as I am an avid believer that once you know better, you do better.
Isn’t Whitney awesome? Leave a comment for Whitney and Chicklett below. Remember, chickens are friends, not food! 
peta2 Street Team Coordinator + lover of vegan food, cats, animal rights, Dawson's Creek, and Harry Potter.
Too long to explain here, it's long enough for a novel.
Father loves to farm, be self sustainable, loves to read, he's a antiques/vintage auctioneer, art student, and looks like mr. Rogers. My mother is a Montessori teacher and is amazing with children, all about local organic foods, loves gardening, cooking etc. my sister who is nine years older than me was into indie music and introduced me to all sorts of things at a young age. This all rubbed of on me and from that base I grew into similar things. I'm an INFJ
I'm tall, a geek, nacho - obsessed, I love sewing and Cath Kidston, also I'm vegetarian (wannabe vegan.)
Jersey girl now I'm all country.
I love animals about as much as rock, heavy metal, tea, and coffee. Hoping to make a difference and help animals through PETA!!!
Life On A Tour Bus
I am Angela. When I am not helping animals I am listening to music, reading, or playing video games. My spirit animal is a fox and I love nature. What else is there to know? Want to know anything about me, need advice or anything message me :)
Well let's just say life ain't always beautiful but it's a beautiful ride. I love all my pets and would do anything for them. I have one dog, two cats, a ferret and my babygirl shaymin,(the cutest hedgehog alive) I'm into all different kinds of music. I'm a singer myself and love art.
♥ 
733 days ago
0
She did the right thing, a thing not too many people do anymore. I would have done the same I can promise everyone that. <3
905 days ago
0
Good job not killing the chicken just because they told you that you had to do it for the project! Schools should not have projects such as these that teach kids that it is okay to kill animals.
930 days ago
0
Whitney – You’re fantastic!
Chicklett – You’re so cute!
934 days ago
0
Whitney, I am so glad I read your story….I am sorry you had to endure it and happy you did what your heart told you to do. The biggest lesson taught here is the lesson of bonding, through friendship and caring and we do not kill and eat those people or pets we love and care for. Did you learn much about the history of your country and solve a math problem that had been tough….why don’t our schools focus more on reading, writing and math? These are the things where we are failing in our school systems but we can learn how to kill and pluck a chicken. LMH
935 days ago
0
OMG i cant believe there are schools that have this as part of their curriculum?? That is just sick and disgusting! r they trying to turn the youth of today into a bunch of psychos?
Good on you Whitney- the world needs more brave people like yourself who stand for something noble!Well done babe!
935 days ago
0
You are my new hero! I’m so proud of you!
935 days ago
0
This is such a beautiful story! I can’t believe that your school would actually make you do something like that! I’m from Wyoming and have been teased all 9 years I have been a vegetarian but I know I am making a difference even if everyone can see it the same way. I feel you story is so strong you have the power to change peoples perspectives. Once someone really understands they may change! <3
~Kirsten
935 days ago
0
You’re awesome ! And Chicklett too !
935 days ago
0
I think you made the right choice Whitney. I totally would have done what you did. We don’t have that kind of project at my school though.It’s a shame we have projects like those that the teachers are saying that it’s ok to kill something that isn’t your pet. Like you, I ocassionally get crap for caring about animals. I did this project saying how terrible animal testing is, and these idiot jocks started saying that PETA stands for People Eating Tasty Animals. Instead of yelling at them, I just politely said, “No People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals”. But I’m glad that you stood your ground for Chicklett’s sake.
935 days ago
0
Great job.
935 days ago
0
Congrats chiklett. you were so lucky. hope you and ur owner live happily ever after
935 days ago
0
You are AWESOME girl!!! I am SO proud of you that you stood up and saved that chickens life! I am appalled that a school i allowed to have a project like that, its completely disgusting and awful!!
Your my hero!!! <3 <3 it =D
<3 Rachel
936 days ago
0
Whitney – good for you, you absolutely rock!
You are my hero of the week.
All the best sweetheart!
Amy
(fellow animal lover)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
936 days ago
0
it’s things like this that make ppl hero’s, things that the majority of ppl would thing is a small act of heroism, but to us animal lovers nd the animals themselves, this is a gigantic act of heroism!
much love your way Whitney!
936 days ago
0
Great work by this highschool student. It’s difficult to stand by your beliefs in the face of ridicule. I did notice, However the “interview” answers seemed a bit to eloquent and well written to be that of a highschool student. In fact portions of it sounded like it was written by a professional within the pr department of PETA. Or, she’s just really well spoken. I. Any regard, well done!
936 days ago
0
A school that advocates murder? Seriously? I would file a lawsuit and transfer immediately. That’s rediculous. Thank you, Whitney, for being the only one who had any sense to realize that it’s wrong. God bless.
936 days ago
0
Good for you Whitney!!! I wish others would have had the fortitude to follow your example.
What kind of ghoulish teacher/school would condone this assignment for high school kids? The vision of these kids slitting the throats of living creatures makes me sick and angry too.
I am so glad you did what you did and I wish the whole class would have boycotted this assignment.
936 days ago
0
What a terrible project. It always amazes me what schools out there are making kids do! Good for Whitney. We need to stand up against these cruel projects, like dissection. The worst part of this project is that they are teaching kids to think that animals don’t have feelings or personalities. They are telling them the whole time to be detached and treat the chicken as an object because in the end they will have to kills it. To make kids raise a chicken, during which time they could bond with the animal, and then have to kill it, hardens these kids. Its so sad and frustrating that we have programs like this in place. And in High School, where classes like this are requirements! Whitney, we’re proud of you for being strong and compassionate where others were not.
936 days ago
0
Whitney,
You absolutly did the right thing and am proud of you for standing up for what you believe in. Never do something that goes against your own belief about yourself and how your actions affect others. You are truly an enlightened individual a leader of truth. Blessings to you and Chicklett may you have many happy years together.
Cindy Jensen
Fox River Grove, Illinois
936 days ago
0
Whitney, you are amazing! I can only hope that if I’m faced with something of the same magnitude I can have the same courage and will power you did.
936 days ago
0
yay! welldone for standing up for yourself and chicklett! I’m from the UK and over here we dont even disect animals so im really shocked to hear about such a story! it’s hard to believe its even real
poor little chickens
936 days ago
0
You’re awesome for saving that chicken. I would feel the same way!! I don’t understand how some people can do that. At my school, they raised cows for that reason… I knew I wouldn’t be able to do that; so I stayed away from the argicultural part of my school. Thankfully it wasn’t a class I had to take.
936 days ago
0
Go Whitney! I’ve always wanted a pet chicken.
936 days ago
0
U rock Whitney!
I can’t believe her school requires students to kill animals.
936 days ago
0
Wow! You got guts girl! Congrats on saving chicklett! Thats really awesome, good job!
936 days ago
0
That’s a beautiful thing that Whitney did :’) I would do that too. But what school would make raising then killing an innocent chicken a project? I’m suprised she was the only one that saved her chicken. Go Whitney!! and kudos to your newfound vegetarianism, I salute you!
936 days ago
0
I don’t get how anyone could raise a chicken and then kill it. It would be like killing your own pet! But I admire you, Whitney! You made the right choice. You rock!
936 days ago
0
Nice one Whitney!
I’m honestly suprised that she was the only one to save her chicken. How can anyone raise a chicken and then have them killed!?!?
But well done Whitney for having a heart. I hope you enjoy your new found vegetariansim an hopefully the rest of the class spend some time thinking rather than just doing something because they were told to.
936 days ago
0
I asked though, i didnt just take him, lol.
936 days ago
0
We once raised chickens in an incubator at school in 7th grade, they were going to bring the chicks to a farm to be slaughtered once they were older, but i saved chokobo (thats the name of the chick i raised) and brought him to a friends, and they brought him to a farm where he happily still lives today
937 days ago
0
Her story made me cry ;u;
She’s a great woman, strong, and wow, her power of will!!!
I love when she says “I decided that I didn’t have to slit Chicklett’s throat just because I am being told to.” <3
I graduated fomr a very small high school last june, and Im on college, but my sister still attends that high school, and she told me they were going to dissect bunnies.
We have no companies that provide these bunnies in this city, so they took them from wherever they lived, from nature, and killed them. It was just three bunnies, but, that's three lives! They "killed them compassionately", but I don't think the students in that classroom are passionate about their career studies, I think they were too excited just to see the blood and insides of the animal, they even uploaded horrible pictures to facebook so, Whitney's story made me cry because SHE DID something!! And I didn't. I wasn't there at the right moment, so when I tried to take action, it was already too late.
Hooray for Whitney!! I know Chicklett will be forever grateful, and maybe some of their classmates will think better about what they did.
937 days ago
0