In a town full of people who enjoy hunting, being vegan or vegetarian is tough. Plenty of people at Hastings High eat meat, but only a small percentage are vegetarian.
“A student who graduated last year recently had an argument with me over social media about how it’s necessary to eat meat,” said sophomore Mara Franssen.
Franssen started her vegetarian lifestyle four months ago at the end of May.
“Ever since I was little I loved animals. I went on a fishing trip with my family last May and I witnessed some pretty brutal things. We also stayed where cows were getting slaughtered, it was really scary and that was my last straw. I decided I didn’t want to take part in the slaughtering and eating of animals anymore,” Franssen said.
Franssen’s parents were at first concerned with their daughter’s decision to become vegetarian. They didn’t think she would get enough nutrients to keep up with her active lifestyle.
“They’ve been supportive on getting me protein enriched foods and now they’re okay with it,” Franssen said.
Franssen strongly disagrees with hunting.
“It’s barbaric. I think it’s terrible to go out into the wilderness and see all these beautiful creatures and decide to kill them,” Franssen said.
Franssen understands that it’s normal to eat meat, but she would like it if more people considered being vegetarian or vegan.
“It’s their choice, I ate meat for 15 years of my life. It doesn’t bother me to see other people eating meat. I know this lifestyle isn’t for everyone,” Franssen said.
Everyday for lunch, Franssen brings her own lunch.
“I bring a PB and J, pasta and I actually eat fake chicken. It’s like chicken made out of plants,” Franssen said.
Franssen plans on staying vegetarian for as long as she can.
“I don’t ever want to eat another animal again, with the exception of when I’m older and want to start a family. When you’re pregnant you need to eat meat for the baby,” Franssen said.
Freshman Lillian Kingsley is a former vegan. She was a vegan for a year and a half.
“My dad is a vegan and was the first person to introduce me to veganism. From a morality standpoint I just felt like it was a better way to live my life,” Kingsley said.
She feels that being a vegan helps lessen the cruelness towards animals.
Kingsley feels ashamed that she decided to stop being vegan. She currently identifies herself as a “reducetarian”. She tries her best to reduce her usage of animal products.
“Being in the midwest and being in school made it hard to avoid some things. I also wasn’t getting enough protien in my diet and I was having a lot of health problems. I try my best, but I’m not a full vegan anymore,” Kingsley said.
Kingsley, just like Franssen, isn’t pro-hunting.
“If it’s not for necessity i’m against it. Hunting shouldn’t be a sport. If somebody hunts I’m not gonna judge them for it though,” Kingsley said.
Kingsley does not judge others for their life choices.
“When I was a vegan it was just for me, I wasn’t trying to make anyone feel bad for their choices. It was just I chose to live my life this way and it’s what I think is right, but if you do something I don’t agree with it’s not my place to say something,” Kingsley said.
Kingsley felt that she was made fun of a lot for being vegan.
“Especially just living here where we are, it’s more of a conservative lifestyle. If there’s someone who’s different in any way everyone just like ‘oh weird’ and they’re very judgmental,” Kingsley said.
Kingsley and Franssen both feel like Hastings High should offer more vegan/vegetarian choices.
“Personally I think it’s less expensive to go vegan. Meat and cheese and eggs cost a whole lot. I think it’d be a good idea, but I don’t see it happening anytime soon,” Kingsley said.
Sophomore Zackary Khamouna has been hunting for as long as he could walk.
“I think hunting is good for the environment. It also puts food in the fridge,” Khamouna said.
Khamouna feels that hunting helps control animal populations and helps the environment grow.
“If you shoot a deer, and eat that, you get more protein than when you eat organic meat. It’s just natural,” Khamouna said.
“Animals eat animals, so why shouldn’t we eat them?” Khamouna said.
Students at HHS each have their own opinions and sometimes those opinions are polar opposites.
