Greetings from Winchester!
Many of us have certain traditions with which we begin the holiday season. Some of us venture out among the holiday crowds, trying to finish our shopping, while others are baking, wrapping, decorating and planning all the events which make our holidays complete.
The beginning of the holiday season for my husband and me is not the Black Friday crowds or the family Thanksgiving dinner – it is going to the annual Holiday Gala at Shenandoah. The gala is a showcase of student and faculty talent, preceded by a beautiful party in the foyer of Ohrstrom-Bryant Theatre (OBT). The campus is ablaze with twinkling lights, greenery and wreaths. We found the most beautiful decorations on campus inside the OBT foyer – it was a sparkling wonderland of silver! Beautifully wrapped silver presents were nestled under glittering silver trees. An amazing ice sculpture of one of the new Village residence halls was the first thing everyone saw as they walked into the foyer. We were lucky to arrive early and find a great seat in the foyer, so we could see everyone as they arrived. It was wonderful to see so many friends, classmates and former faculty.
The highlight of the evening was the showcase. Like many, I sat in the audience and remembered my days as a student at Shenandoah as I watched the student performers. The stage came alive with the marvelous performances of dancers, singers, actors and instrumentalists. It was inspiring to witness the talented students and faculty at Shenandoah and it always makes me so proud to be an SU alum.
We’ve just had a hint of snow here! Many of you have had more than a hint – please feel free to send us a little more snow if you can! Teachers everywhere love those snow days and I am no exception!
Happy Holidays from our house to yours!
Susan Wyatt Helsley ’76, ’85
President, SU Alumni Association