Marengo Student Stops Worm Eating, Wins PETA Award

When 10-year-old Nicky Schwarz learned that the principal of had agreed to eat fried worms based on a children's book if the students read a half-million minutes' worth of books, the fifth-grader knew that he had to do something.

He immediately circulated a petition against the event and rallied his friends and classmates to speak out with him.

Principal Kim Sinclair admirably bowed to the students' wishes and called off the stunt, agreeing to paint stripes all over herself, based on the children's book A Bad Case of Stripes, for a day instead. For his inspiring effort and for giving his school a valuable lesson in kindness, Nicky has been awarded a PETA Kids Compassionate Action Award.

"Worms might not be among the cutest animals on Earth, but they deserve to live as much as any other animal," says PETA Kids Manager Emily Nash. "Nicky has taught the entire school that the way we treat the smallest and seemingly most insignificant beings is what defines our character."

Nicky received a framed certificate, an official letter of recognition, and a boxful of PETA Kids goodies.

To find fun and easy ways that kids can help stop animal suffering, please visit PETA's website PETAKids.com or visit PETA's blog.