Tofu? Yes, please.

Instead of heading to the nearest pizza joint, check out the alternatives at Tate

The diet of many college students is often less than thoughtful – pepperoni pizza, macaroni and cheese, wings – but at Tate Plaza today, one organization hopes to inspire students to think before they eat.

Speak Out for Species’ Meatout will last from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. today and will feature meat alternatives and tunes provided by local band Dubconscious, as reported on page three of today’s edition of The Red & Black.

Vegetarianism and veganism have become much more mainstream in recent years, and we commend SOS for raising awareness of diet alternatives.

It’s not hard to find tofu, Tofurkey, vegan cheese and other animal-friendly products in most grocery stores. Most of these products taste no different from their meat counterparts.

We’re not advocating everyone become a vegetarian, but we do support students making conscious, healthy diet choices and being aware of what they eat.

There are many reasons to lead a meat-free lifestyle – among them environmental, health or animal rights. SOS hopes to inspire University students to consider other options and educate them on animal rights.

Since college is a time for exploration, why not expand your diet for just one day and try a meat or dairy alternative? You never know – you may like it.

- Shannon Otto for the editorial board

Newsworthy honor

The R&B is proud of its news gurus for earning top-quality journalism honors

Today we are patting ourselves on our backs and hope you too take pride in the achievements of your fellow Bulldogs.

This weekend, The Red & Black received 16 regional awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, including third best all-around daily student newspaper in the Southeast. Although some of the staff have graduated or moved to other publications, we praise their dedication to top-quality journalism. And here are the awards:

 The Red & Black staff – first place in General News Reporting

 Bill Richards – first place in Editorial Cartooning

 Brian Hughes – first place in Feature Writing

 Richard Hamm – first place in Sports Photography

 Josh D. Weiss – first place in Photo Illustration, second place in Feature Photography, second place in Sports Photography

 The Red & Black Staff – second place in Editorial Writing

 Kelly Wegel – second place in General News Photography

 Carolyn Crist & Jessica Levine – third place in Breaking News Reporting

 Josh White – third place in General Column Writing

 Phillip Kisubika – third place in Sports Writing

 Sara Pauff – third place in In-Depth Reporting

 Danielle Hutlas – third place in Breaking News Photography

 The Red & Black staff – third place in Feature Photography

We also commend Hearst Journalism Award winners Brian Hughes (fourth), Phillip Kisubika (8th), Todd South (12th) and Colin Dunlop (12th).

- Juanita Cousins for the editorial board