Halcyon Spooner

Halcyon Spooner was born in St Lucia, and moved into New York City at the age of 10. Soon after, she was informed about the New York Harbor School via The New York Times. ( The article Halcyon found) Little did she know, this article would be the discovery of her talent. After reading it, she was motivated to seek a unique high school experience, and begin her maritime journey.  Sophomore year, she picked Vessel Operations, one of many programs at the school, to take part of. She later graduated from Harbor School, and began her Maritime Journey.

Halcyon  has worked on countless vessels ranging from fishing boats, small cruise ships, tall ships, and schooners. She says that her favorite vessel to work on was the fishing boat in Alaska because she was surrounded by amazing people, and though conditions and work hours were extremely harsh, the hard work pays off, and is rewarding. Halcyon was one of the only colored women, but there were several other races. Halcyon in future times is eager to work on offshore support vessels due to their versatility of what they can do depending on the job. Cruise ships were also one of her dreams in her earlier years. However she lived that dream, and worked on a small expedition cruise ship for some time. But working on vessels is hard. 5-7 years from now, Halcyon may want to work in other industries so she can open up to different lifestyles. But throughout Halcyon's inspiring maritime journey, she wouldn't change much. A few changes such as getting a certain license are necessary, but with the way everything went for her, Halcyon had a great come up, and was introduced into so many different workspaces at young ages which is truly amazing. As a student, seeing a figure so successful in their maritime career at such a young age is more than inspiring. Watching Halcyon kill it in this industry and work on such a wide variety of vessels makes me want to work harder to achieve my own goals. I’ve been on small boats as a crew member with my classmates, and rely on vessels to get me to school. I’ve also driven small boats with engines and my family was in the maritime industry themselves.  

Halcyon’s journey is inspirational, and even getting to write about her journey is a pleasure. She's accomplished things that some can only dream about, and still has miles of road ahead of her. Being a colored woman in her industry should inspire other colored women who want to live the maritime lifestyle to do it. The New York Harbor School was a great way to kick off her career, and guide her to the place she's in today. It’s clear that studying Vessel Operations throughout her high school years gave her a headstart in the maritime industry. Her knowledge is incredible, but something that no school could guide her is the unique work effort that she has, and being able to spend large chunks of her life time doing what she wants to do. On behalf of myself, and others, we shall all be thankful for Halcyon as she can shift our perspectives of the maritime industry by proving that any race is eligible to do great things in their careers. She didn’t let being an odd one out stop her from achieving her goals, and by doing this, carved a path, and now can guide other young colored female mariners to their goals as well. To those in the Harbor School, who look forward to, or are in the vessel operations CTE (Career and Technical Education), already have the opportunity to kick off their journeys the right way. Getting what's given for free such as licenses, and prior knowledge was key for Halcyon, and can be for you too. All and all, Halcyon Spooner is a prominent mariner who paved the way for black history month. 

By Hunter Johannessen