Vegan with a Vengeance
A Profile of Sophomore Addie Calcagnini
NEIRAD enilno edition
"Unconventional!” is how Addie Calcagnini describes herself. She bleeds creativity with her poetry and this aspiring singer/songwriter takes animal sympathy to the next level with her commitment to the vegan lifestyle. While at the same time keeping herself grounded in reality.
"I want to be a singer but I came to the realization it’s most likely not going to happen. But, I’m still going to try!” Addie said.
The DHS sophomore’s singing and songwriting are two prime creative pursuits coupled with her interest in photography and art: in particular the 20th century movement called surrealism that features fantastic images and unexpected arrangements to represent unconscious thoughts and dreams.
“Surrealist art, in particular Salvador Dali, is a major inspiration for my writing and photography and actually, everything I do.” Addie said. Surrealist art has helped her try to look at things from new and abstract angles.
Senior Nicole Devico said, “She makes everything awkward but at the same time fun.”
Addie's Top 5 Bands:
- Mindless Self Indulgence
- Panic! at the Disco
- Kate Nash
- 3 Oh! 3
- Alkaline Trio
Addie has always had a strong love for animals but it wasn’t until a horrific, eye-opening dream set her on the vegan path. “I dreamt that a farmer called a father bull away from his calf, the calf couldn’t find his father until he walked into the barn and his father’s head was laying on the ground,” Addie recounted.
She woke up that morning with a new commitment to become a vegetarian. One year later, she ramped it up to become a full-fledged vegan. A vegan is someone who omits all animal products from her diet. That means in addition to the obvious no-nos such as not consuming meat, Addie cannot partake of butter, milk, eggs or cheese. She also does not wear any animal products.
Three years later Addie has yet to eat animal products since her wake-up call.
Addie often signs petitions like her most recent one to stop commercial seal clubbing. You can find Addie handing out vegan cupcakes and flyers on Earth Day in the spring. She is always ready to help anyone with questions about veganism or converting to become a vegan.
She is always ready to stand for what she believes in, and never censors her ideas. Also a member of the high school’s Gay Straight Alliance, Addie conveys a uniform message of equality for humans and animals alike.
When asked where she sees herself in 10 years, Addie said in addition to her commitment to veganism there are Anglo aspirations. "It's a dream of mine to live in London, it has everything I love about New York City, but the people are less nosy and the music is a lot better. I'm going to live there."
What is the worst gift Addie has gotten?
