Shannon McKenzie, director of Watercraft Programs at Mystic Seaport Museum, was named Volunteer of the Year by Tall Ships America at its Annual Conference in Los Angeles on February 27.
The nonprofit gives the award annually to “an individual member of Tall Ships America who has significantly advanced our overall mission.” For the last six years, McKenzie helped to orchestrate and plan the group’s annual convention, working on scheduling, logistics, and content. This year she also planned and led a plenary session on Workforce Development and a forum on Administration during the conference.
Jonathan Boulware, executive director of South Street Seaport Museum, presented McKenzie with the award. “He was the first captain I worked for when I started my career,” she said, “on Sound Waters out of Stamford, CT. So that was very special for me to receive the award from him.”
“I’m very honored,” McKenzie said. “And I’m pleased to be able to continue to work with Tall Ships America and support the great work they do.”
Tall Ships America is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization focused on youth education, leadership development and the preservation of the maritime heritage of North America. In addition to organizing the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® Series, Tall Ships America manages scholarship programs to make sail training experiences more affordable for young people, grant programs to assist crew of member vessels with the costs of professional development courses and licensing requirements and publishes SAIL TALL SHIPS! A Directory of Sail Training and Adventure at Sea.
Schooner Brilliant at Mystic Seaport Museum is a member vessel of Tall Ships America. Brilliant‘s new captain, Dan McKenzie (no relation to Shannon) attended the conference as well.
