Elgin native makes top 10 in sexiest vegetarian contest

After an evening of watching animal abuse videos in her college apartment and looking at pictures of animal testing, Jillian Thomas was shaken — and feeling guilty about her own contribution to the suffering of animals.

She woke up the next morning and decided never to eat meat again or buy products from companies that test on animals. That was five years ago and at 23 she’s still going strong.

The Elgin woman is a finalist in The Sexiest Vegetarian Next Door contest, sponsored by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA.)

“This is something I have a true passion for,” Thomas said. “I would love to be known for something I believe in and PETA is making that possible for all vegetarians and vegans in this competition.”

About 750 people submitted photos nationwide for the 9th annual contest that started in March. Ten men and 10 women made the final round, with voting online until Monday, May 14.

Lindsay Rajt, director of campaigns and outreach for PETA, said the winners will be chosen based on looks, the public vote and enthusiasm for vegetarianism and promoting that lifestyle.

Contestants shared a number of stories like making vegan baked goods for co-workers, writing letters to companies urging them to adopt more animal-friendly practices and leading protests.

Thomas said she has never been so passionate about a cause.

“It’s not about the one picture you see online of me,” Thomas said. “It’s about everything I do and say in helping spread the word about vegetarianism.”

Thomas is studying public health at Northern Illinois University and has been in Shanghai since December for an internship. She graduated from Larkin High School in Elgin in 2007.

PETA’s youth branch, PETA 2, offers a Cutest Vegetarian Alive contest for people ages 13 to 21, and PETA Prime has a similar competition for the older than 50 population. The Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity is also named annually.

Rajt said this contest provides a seed for other people to take the leap to cut meat from their diets.

“When you see someone else making healthy and humane food choices, especially when that person happens to be fit and sexy like our contestants are, it makes it seem like those choices are easy to make for yourself,” Rajt said.

Visit peta.org to vote in the Sexiest Vegetarian Next Door contest or find healthy vegetarian recipes online.