Undergraduate / Standing Alone/ Common App challenge a belief/idea [3]

Please help me with my essay, I don't have much time :)

As the video came to an end, I sat back in my computer chair and wiped away tears of sadness. I had not been aware of a huge injustice within my own country. The documentary showed me of the cruel treatment towards animals by factory farmers. I continued my research on the topic, only to discover the brutality was much worse than I thought. Compassion overwhelmed me and it urged me to do something. It was then I started my personal protest by never again eating meat, dairy, eggs, or any other food that comes from animals- just fruits, legumes, grains and vegetables. I had become a vegan.

My new protest made me an easy target at school. I would often hear the same mocking questions and phrases like "Oh, so do you nibble on grass like the little bunnies?" or "That is so unhealthy, you're going to look like a ghost." Some had argued that animal cruelty isn't a big deal. Whereas others would stick their burger in my face and tell me how amazing it tastes.

Although they probably didn't realize how rude they were acting, I didn't let it faze me. I wasn't going to be one of the many kids who jump on the bandwagon and go along with everyone else. I stayed true in going against their belief, even if that meant months of ridicule. I felt like I was doing the right thing, and that mattered more to me than some kid making a joke about what I ate.

After I told a couple of my teacher about my protest, some told me that I needed to stop. They told me about vitamins, nutrition, and the importance of keeping animal based foods in your diet.

Although I could appreciate that their advice was of good intensions, I didn't take what they said for granted. Sometimes, challenging a belief means questioning what a role model or superior tells you. After hours and hours of research, I concluded that I would be able to have all the same vitamins and nutrients they were having without eating any dairy, eggs, meat, etc.

Even though no one else in my school community has joined me in protest, I still remain vegan three years later and have never regretted it. The experience has taught me to stand up for what I believe in, even if it means I'm standing alone.