After hearing the truth behind what she had been eating her whole life, junior Olivia Archibald decided to make a change. On Sept. 1, 2015, Olivia made the choice to become a vegetarian for her own health, animal rights and to help the environment.

“I know that being vegetarian is so much healthier for not only my own health but the environment, and animals should have the right to live,” Olivia said. “I have such a drive to eat healthy with this lifestyle, and I am actually considering what I put into my body.”

Olivia has been eating vegetarian for over a year now and never has had a desire to eat meat since. For the past year she has had to try new meals that would replace the meat in her previous diet when she would eat out.

“It is surprising how many places you can eat vegetarian,” Olivia said. “But I can say that Taco Bell is my favorite place to eat out because I can replace any meat with beans, and it still tastes good.”

When Olivia eats at home by herself or with her family, she is required to get creative. Since her family does eat meat, it is important to Olivia to still remain vegetarian at home.

“When I eat dinner with my family, my dad will always make me a separate vegetarian meal,” Olivia said. “He usually gets me vegan meat and will cook it in replacement. He just goes along with it and doesn’t ask questions. Whenever I just want a snack or my family is not home, my favorite meal is corn tortillas with sautéed spinach, black beans and pico de gallo.”

Olivia’s father, Don Archibald, is very supportive of her dietary decisions and goes out of his way to ensure Olivia still has meals with the family.

“It wasn’t a surprise that Olivia became a vegetarian,” Don said. “I prepare her vegetarian meals to support her. I have to buy more vegetables and fake meat, but she has inspired me to eat more vegetables myself.”

It is important to Olivia to educate people about her diet when they ask her, but it is also against her morals to shame people for eating meat. She tries to influence her lifestyle in many ways, and she is even focused on starting a vegetarian club here at FHN.

“Even though I am not a vegetarian, Olivia has inspired me to eat healthier and to be a happier person,” best friend Jameson Gabel said, “I am open to trying vegetarian meals when I am with her. I have enjoyed mostly all of them, but I think a veggie burger is my favorite.”

This post has been altered since its original post date.