George Mason University

05/20/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 05/21/2026 04:22

Global affairs student finishes second in Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics essay contest

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George Mason University global affairs major Noella Mongony has received second prize in the Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics essay contest, the Elie Wiesel Foundation has announced.

Mongony was recognized for her essay, "Stones That Remember." The foundation invites students to write essays that engage deeply with complex moral questions, often drawing from personal experience to illuminate broader societal and ethical issues.

Mongony's essay centered on language and colonialization. Photo provided

After visiting the Zanzibar Slave Museum in Africa and reflecting on her identity as an immigrant, Mongony chose to write about "when silence protects dignity and when it betrays it." She focuses on language, assimilation, colonialism, and how silence can be wielded to conform but also can serve as a valuable tool to "preserve memory, reverence, and survival."

"Winning this award means a great deal to me as an immigrant because Elie Wiesel's story of resilience and speaking out against injustice deeply resonates with my own journey of finding my voice in unfamiliar spaces," Mongony said. "Being recognized through an award connected to his legacy reminds me that my experiences and perspective can contribute meaningfully to conversations about ethics, justice, and humanity. Ultimately, the essay argues that dignity comes from having the freedom to choose when to speak and when to remain silent, rather than having silence imposed upon you."

Mongony heard about the contest after taking English 202 Texts and Contexts with George Mason instructor Leeya Mehta, the director of the Alan Cheuse International Writers Center. The class was connected to the Cheuse Center's yearlong Baldwin100 project, which celebrated author James Baldwin's 100 birthday. The essay comes from an assignment to write about "something personal," drawing inspiration from Baldwin's book with Richard Avedon, Nothing Personal.

"Noella's prize-winning essay is a meditation on silence and questioning, as she grapples with her own place in contemporary America and the world after witnessing the Zanzibar Slave Museum," Mehta said. "Noella has added a dimension and clarity all her own in owning her story and examining the complex ethics of silence."

In addition to receiving scholarships, Mongony and the other winners will participate in curated professional development training, including expert writing and speaking seminars, learning modules, and networking opportunities. The winners will be celebrated on October 6, at the annual Elie Wiesel Ethics Prize Dinner in New York City.

Founded by Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel, the late author, journalist, and activist, and his wife Marion, the Elie Wiesel Foundation advocates for global human rights, ethical reflection and cross-cultural understanding through programs that engage students, artists, educators, and communities in meaningful dialogue and action.

"This year's essays were outstanding and presented the jury with an exciting opportunity to engage with a range of ethical issues and deepen their own thinking," said Elisha Wiesel, son of Elie Wiesel and chairman of the Elie Wiesel Foundation.

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