Posted March 15, 2013 by Annie Leal
Here at peta2, we’re always looking to make fighting for animals easier and more fun for you guys. But let’s face it: As much as I like to think that my One Direction phone background makes me young and hip (who even says “hip” anymore?!), we all know that isn’t true. That’s where our special weapon comes in—the Youth Advisory Board, or as I like to call it, the YAB. (See? Still not hip!)
The Youth Advisory Board is a group of passionate and super-dedicated Street Teamers who help peta2 with feedback on missions, campaigns, and merch items. Along with gaining experience with the biggest youth animal rights organization in the world (and yes, I’m bragging!), the team also gets advance access to peta2 merch, opportunities to table with the peta2 tour crew, and chances to attend exclusive trainings on how to become a better advocate for animals! So as you can probably imagine, they are total superheroes (I’m looking at you, Sara Ann!) for animals.
Without further ado, meet the Youth Advisory Board!
Name: Sara Ann Callaway
Hometown: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Why do you care about animal rights? I care about animal rights simply because I care about animals. Animals can’t say “No,” “Stop,” or “Be nicer,” so I’m here to do it for them and be their voice. No animal should suffer just for a person’s plate, fashion, or entertainment, and I am their voice to ensure that is the case.
Name: Saleana Carneiro
Hometown: Waterbury, Connecticut
Why do you care about animal rights? I care about animal rights because animals deserve respect. Just because they don’t look like me doesn’t mean that they don’t think, feel, and have families, hopes, dreams, and fears. I stick up for animals because they don’t have the same voice as me, and they need someone who understands that even though we don’t speak the same language, we are more alike than people know.
Name: Andrew Puccetti
Hometown: Mount Prospect, Illinois
Why do you care about animal rights? In today’s society, humans hold all of the power, and animals are at our mercy. Unfortunately, we abuse this power by treating animals like products instead of living beings. Because of this, every day, animals are abused and neglected. Animals cannot speak, and thus, I believe that it is our responsibility to be their voice. I have a desire to change our relationship with animals from one that is based on needless cruelty to one that is based on empathy and respect.
Name: Yanel Saenz
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Why do you care about animal rights? After watching “Meet Your Meat” in eighth grade, I could not believe the cruelty animals face in the meat and dairy industries—I immediately decided to go vegetarian. I strongly believe that animals belong on Earth just as much as we do—if we cannot have compassion for animals and their rights, then how can we for humans? Being an activist for animal rights has allowed me to speak for the silent and gain a greater sense of humanity.
Name: Suzeii Liu
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Why do you care about animal rights? Animals have rights just like we do. Just because we cannot understand them, it does not mean that they do not feel pain. They have a brain, just like we do. And that means that they can feel, too, just like we do. Think about it. Is it ethical to just go ahead and torture, kill, eat, or wear, whatever we do not understand?
Name: Sydney Doe
Hometown: Evanston, Illinois
Why do you care about animal rights? I care about animal rights because animals can feel pain, and they do so quite often completely unnecessarily. It doesn’t matter how well you’d do on an IQ test, how much you look like those with power, or how socially acceptable it is to abuse you, if you can suffer, you matter, and that suffering should be avoided—especially when it’s as easy as opting for a veggie burger over a beef patty.
Name: Kassandra Runkle
Hometown: Shamokin, Pennsylvania
Why do you care about animal rights? I care about animal rights because animals are just like I am. They feel pain, fear, happiness, and love. They enjoy playing and have a favorite food, and that’s more than enough reason for me to fight for them to have the happy and fear-free life they deserve.
Name: Jeannette Wright
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Why do you care about animal rights? I care about animal rights because I believe that it is not only morally wrong but also plain appalling to continue allowing animals be harmed for the selfish pleasure of humans. As consciously aware beings, we cannot simply stand back and allow such atrocities to occur. We hold the intellect to end the mistreatment of our fellow animals and to progress in creating a better, more peaceful world. We must simply step up and act for the sake of our environment, humanity, and most importantly, the voiceless animals who cry out for our help and attention.
Name: Maria Lisa
Hometown: Barrie, Ontario
Why do you care about animal rights? I care about animal rights because I understand what it feels like to not have a voice or to be belittled for being different. Unfortunately, I have been a witness to animal cruelty, which made the words and videos that I see seem so real to me. Everything about that experience was traumatic. It was so difficult to see an animal being tortured to the point of death and not being able to do anything about it. From that point on, I dedicated my life to saving these beautiful creatures in every way I can. I believe with my whole heart that animals are of no lesser value than humans and therefore shouldn’t be treated as such.
Name: John Jungenberg
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Why do you care about animal rights? I care about animal rights because animals deserve to live their lives without being harmed by the hands of humans. Being an activist doesn’t just help liberate animals, it helps liberate yourself.
Name: Paty Licea
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Why do you care about animal rights? I care about animal rights because although we have the power to hurt another, that does not mean we should.
Name: Alec Tworek
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Why do you care about animal rights? The reason I care about animal rights is because of how innocent and pure animals are. Animals do not deserve the hardships they are put through each and every day because of cruel and inhumane human beings. It is because of those hardships that I have chosen to devote the rest of my life to all animals. As long as there is something I can do about it, animals do not have to be afraid to live. I will not be silent, and I will always be their voice.
Want to be part of this awesome team? Join the Street Team and start speaking up for animals by completing our “Take Action” missions. And keep an eye out to submit an application for the next Youth Advisory Board in the fall!
FUN FACT: I was part of the very first Youth Advisory Board, so believe me when I tell you—it’s a lot of fun! 
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.
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.
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 love animals about as much as rock, heavy metal, tea, and coffee. Hoping to make a difference and help animals through PETA!!!
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 want to get into marketing but not have to rely on people which have different morals and worldviews than I do to hire me. While I'm figuring this out, I want to show everyone what I believe in and spur them into action against injustices.
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 :)
65 days ago
1
I didn’t know about the YAB…supercool stuff! Thanks for speaking out on behalf of the innocent.
61 days ago
1
We <3 what we do!