3 Nassau Seniors Win LI Essay Contest About Racism

SYOSSET, NY — A trio of Nassau County seniors won a Long Island-wide essay contest sponsored by ERASE Racism of Syosset.

Each winner of the "Raise Your Voice" contest will receive a $500 college scholarship.

• Shania Lall of Freeport High School wrote in her winning essay:

"School environments need to be rooted in DEI values to ensure that students are
abundantly educated in academics as well as racial morale. As a future speech
pathologist, I harbor an unwavering passion to inspire and guide underrepresented
children to secure their spot at the table and demand equity through confident
communication. An enrichment in communication and education will allow our youth to
create a new norm for minorities: strength, success, and greatness beyond wealth."

• Maekyla Massey of Baldwin High School wrote:

"Growing up on Long Island, I’ve experienced firsthand the impacts of structural racism and Long Island’s longstanding history of racial segregation. As a public school student, I attend a majority-minority school district in which resources are not as abundant as those given to students in school districts like Garden City and Merrick, which are districts just a few miles away from where I live. The local school district's funding model, which relies on property taxes, is intrinsically racist, especially in light of the racist redlining policies that were prevalent on Long Island a few decades ago."

• Aidan Morgan of Malverne High School wrote:

"A multifaceted approach is needed to increase the effectiveness of inclusive education. Classroom discussions like those mentioned should be more frequent and structured in a way that encourages active participation from all students. In addition, the inclusion of iinclusive topics in different subjects of the curriculum can strengthen their importance and relevance in everyday life. Beyond the classroom, broader strategies are needed to develop an inclusive and equitable learning environment. Implementing comprehensive diversity training for teachers at the district level can give them the tools they need to navigate sensitive topics and create inclusive spaces. In addition, creating support networks for marginalized students, such as kinship groups or peer tutoring programs, can provide a sense of belonging and empowerment."

ERASE Racism is a civil rights organization based on Long Island that exposes and addresses the
devastating impact of historical and ongoing structural racism, particularly in public school
education and housing.

Each student will be celebrated at ERASE Racism's annual benefit on Wednesday.