Livia Aschheim, a student from Santa Clara, CA, was named Animalearn’s 2024 Humane Student of the Year for her dedication to encouraging her school to offer fetal pig alternatives for a science class. Because of her efforts, her science teacher borrowed pig dissection models from Animalearn’s free loan program, The Science Bank, and as part of her reward, a fetal pig model was donated to her school’s science program.  

“Even if you don’t believe animals’ lives are significant in the context of potential human improvement, we can likely agree that children shouldn’t have to go against their religious or personal values for a grade. Equitable alternatives encourage compassion, promote independent decision making, and provide the opportunity for continued progress.” 

“I have always been an advocate for humane science education whereby I try to find alternate ways of dissection to teach my students about biological specimens. I believe all living creatures deserve the right to live with dignity and respect and no living species should be harmed for any reason. We need to be mindful and respectful towards all living organisms to maintain ecological balance and harmony in nature as some species may be endangered or may be useful to the environment.” 

Michele Graham, a biology major at the College of Charleston, SC, was named Animalearn’s 2024 Humane College Student of the Year for her inventions, the Surro-Kitty® and Surro-Pooch™. Michele, who has always been passionate about animal welfare, created these surrogate nursers after working at an animal shelter and caring for nursing kittens and puppies. She found that many nursing kittens and puppies would be euthanized if there wasn’t a lactating mother in the shelter or the resources/staff to bottle feed them. By giving nursing kittens and puppies the simulation of a real nursing experience, Michele has provided a nurturing and comforting environment, while providing optimal care. 

“Humane education is the foundation of empathy for our animal friends and fosters a more compassionate society. Receiving Animalearn's Humane College Student of the Year award is validation of my efforts to advocate for the ethical treatment of animals. This recognition fuels my commitment to fostering compassion and empathy for our animal friends.”

Katie Carson, a high school student from Columbus, OH, was named Animalearn’s 2023 Humane High School Student of the Year for taking a firm stand against dissection. Katie discovered that her high school did not offer an alternative to dissection in any of its biology classes. Katie was advised that if she did not participate in the dissections, she would receive a failing grade. Not willing to accept that ultimatum, Katie researched the harmful effects of dissection and surveyed other schools in the area, finding that 80% offered alternatives. She then presented this information to the school administration, who allowed her to be the test case for using alternatives in their educational setting. Katie received an A in her labs and in biology class. 

“I have worked very hard during my life to do my best to treat all living things with respect and to share my love of animals and the knowledge that I’ve gained through research and experience whenever I have the opportunity. As the junior class president of my high school, I was able to bring awareness to the importance of finding ways to elevate our education and develop our understanding of the world around us without harming animals in the process. Every person can do their part, no matter how small, to make a difference in the lives of animals. And together our small victories for animals can have national and global impacts.”

Elie De La Garza, a middle school student from Phoenix, AZ, was named Animalearn’s 2023 Humane Middle School Student of the Year for his ongoing and life-long compassion for animals. Elie already has several years of kindness towards animals in science education under his belt. He has chosen not to eat meat, attend zoos, or participate in anything he feels is cruel to animals. For a previous science project where insects were to be caught, frozen to death, and pinned to a board, Elie elected to take photographs and use those instead. He stood firm in his stance to not dissect a fetal pig this year, using an alternative from The Science Bank instead. 

“Animals are vulnerable species that need to be cared for instead of harmed, especially in the name of science. There has to be better ways to do science. Animals are my friends….and I don’t dissect my friends!” 

Laura Streminsky, a biology major at Stony Brook University, NY, was named Animalearn’s 2022 Humane College Student of the Year for her bravery in standing behind her conviction of humane education and not dissecting a rat and live earthworm in her biology class. Her request for an alternative assignment was met with resistance from faculty, and she was labeled as extremist, culturally insensitive, and advised that her grade would be negatively impacted if she did not participate in the dissections. Laura refused to submit to the institutions’ pressures and ultimately was allowed to opt out of the dissections without penalty to her grade. She went on to found the first animal rights student group at the university.  

“As someone who aspires for a career in medicine, I’m repeatedly told that my ability to treat patients is hindered by my refusal to exploit animals. In response, I say that I’m concerned about any medical professional who doesn’t have any reservations in hurting another sentient being. The ultimate goal of medicine (and science in general) should be to minimize suffering in the world as much as possible.”

Aaron Ness, a student from Owings Mills, MD, was named Animalearn’s 2018 Humane Student of the Year for his work to provide written testimony in support of statewide Maryland dissection choice legislation. Aaron was inspired to fight for dissection choice legislation as a consequence of his and his three older siblings' requests to opt out of animal dissections in school. Despite repeated attempts to substitute a more humane assignment, one of his brothers was told to stand outside the classroom door while his classmates dissected pregnant cats, causing him to feel disrespected and excluded. When Aaron himself faced dissection, he approached his teacher and asked for an alternate method to complete the assignment and was told to write a two-page essay, restating what he learned in class lectures. Aaron realized that, without statewide student dissection choice legislation, teachers had no incentive to utilize existing dissection alternatives and would continue to respond to students’ objections with inconsistency. 

“I believe that ‘life science’ should study animals while they are alive and in their natural environment. The overwhelming evidence shows that by not having dissection alternatives at least available to students, students are being deprived of the best education available. I believe that providing students with a humane education will translate into a more humane society.” 

Jenna Ward, a middle school student from Massachusetts, was named Animalearn’s 2016 Humane Student of the Year for her compassion for frogs used in education. Jenna has continued to be an amazing advocate for frogs. In 2019 she did an inspirational TED ED talk called “The Future of Frog Dissections.” Watch it here!

“I am so excited and honored to receive this award! I have been interested in frogs since at least first grade and have done frog-related science fair projects for several years in a row,” Jenna said. “I hope that because of this award I can convince my school to go completely virtual with frog dissections. Frogs are really important to the ecosystem. They are bioindicators, telling us when things are going wrong. It is important for us to listen to them and to take care of them.”