Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Valley Stream North High School senior Zo Mahari Elrington has been named the 2025 recipient of the John Wenzel Scholarship, an honor awarded annually by ERASE Racism to a Long Island high school senior who exemplifies a strong commitment to racial justice.
Elrington will receive a $1,500 scholarship and a new laptop, which will be formally presented at ERASE Racism’s Annual Benefit on Thursday.
The scholarship, now in its second year, was established through a commemorative grant from the Rauch Foundation in memory of John Wenzel, a dedicated advocate for racial equity and a long-standing member of ERASE Racism’s Advisory Committee. Wenzel, a Sea Cliff resident for over 50 years, passed away in late 2023. The scholarship serves as a tribute to his enduring legacy and passion for justice.
“ERASE Racism is excited to recognize Zo Mahari Elrington as the 2025 winner of the John Wenzel Scholarship,” April Francis Taylor, acting president of ERASE Racism said in a news release. “John Wenzel’s commitment to ERASE Racism and to racial justice lives on through this scholarship and its recipients. Zo Mahari Elrington now continues what will become a growing list of Long Island seniors, whose futures will be advanced by this recognition of their commitment to racial justice and their promise of a new generation of leadership.”
Elrington earned the scholarship based on his winning essay submission to the organization’s annual writing contest. This year’s theme, “Brave Spaces: Shaping Change and Transformative Communication,” asked students to reflect on how they could challenge silence around social justice issues and inspire meaningful dialogue in their communities.
In his essay, Elrington described how music has been central to his personal and educational development, serving as both a learning tool and a form of activism. He wrote about how songs ranging from childhood educational tunes to Bob Marley’s “War” shaped his understanding of justice, equity, and the power of voice. Through music, Elrington found a vehicle to discuss difficult topics in ways that engage and empower.
“On Long Island, I’ve witnessed how classrooms often become silent on issues that matter most,” he wrote. “Social justice, race, and inequality are rarely addressed with the urgency or clarity they deserve. But in this silence, I found sound. Music became my medium for shaping change — my way to raise my voice.”
As an ERASE Racism Student Task Force member, Elrington has also applied this perspective in leadership roles at school, including through the Future Teacher Club and the My Brother’s Keeper program. He incorporates music into lesson plans and peer workshops, using lyrics to spark discussions about social issues ranging from hiring discrimination to internalized oppression.
“In a society that values silence over truth, my goal is to build classrooms where communication is courageous, and change is possible,” Elrington wrote. “By combining melody with meaning, I am not just raising my voice—I’m helping others find theirs too.”
The full text of Elrington’s essay is available upon request from ERASE Racism.
Founded on Long Island, ERASE Racism is a civil rights organization that works to expose and confront the long-term effects of structural racism, particularly in public education and housing. The group engages in research, policy advocacy, legal action and public education to drive systemic change at the local, state and national levels. ERASE Racism has received both regional and national recognition for its leadership in advancing racial equity.
For more information or to speak with ERASE Racism, contact Henry Miller at hmiller@highimpactpartnering.com or call (917) 921-8034.
