Meet your interim state coordinator Dear NYSHD Students, Teachers, and Judges:
My name is Crystal Johnson. I will serve as NYSHD's interim state coordinator for the 2020-2021 school year. I was fortunate to "meet" many of you in Spring 2020 when I stepped in to help coordinate the virtual state contest judging. Even in the midst of a tragic pandemic, New York's projects were awe-inspiring and judges were so happy to have an opportunity to learn from your work. We look forward to making the 2021 contest a success! Why does New York have a new affiliate coordinator? Prior to the pandemic, the NYSHD state program was coordinated by the Fenimore Art Museum. Unfortunately, they are no longer able to sponsor the program. NYSHD's regional coordinators are working with the national office to find a new permanent sponsor for the program for the 2021-22 school year. In the meantime, National History Day has stepped in to coordinate this year's contest to provide stability for the program while a new institutional sponsor can be recruited and trained. Who are you? The national office asked me to serve as the interim state coordinator for NYSHD because I have a long history with NHD and prior experience as an affiliate coordinator. After falling in love with NHD as a participant, I went on to mentor NHD students before becoming the state coordinator for Iowa. I later helped coordinate the Chicago and Illinois programs for many years. I hope that this information helps you get to know me and trust that I will do my best to keep the NYSHD program strong while we get through an unprecedented school year. I look forward to working with you! Crystal Johnson Interim State Coordinator New York State History Day nyshd@nhd.org Tel: 312.339.0643 |
What is your favorite NHD topic?
I love them all, but have a soft spot in my heart for Emmeline and Christabel Pankhurst, the British suffragettes who made me fall in love with NHD. Tell us one thing you love about New York history. I'll share two. #1 -- My former NHD student, Dr. Amma Ghartey-Tagoe Kootin, is now a "scholartist" who is developing a Broadway musical about the 1901 Buffalo World's Fair. The early drafts are AMAZING! When "At Buffalo" reaches the stage, you will want to see how she brings the archives to life. #2 -- My daughter's first NHD project examined the history of Disney on Broadway and it was fascinating! |
