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Shenandoah Magazine

The Official Publication of Shenandoah University

  • In This Issue
    • Shenandoah’s Top 10 of 2019
    • Conducting Dreams
    • Edifying Opportunities
    • Genuine Educators
    • Keeping Music in the Family
    • Making a Difference in Sri Lanka
  • Issues
    • Holiday 2019
    • Summer 2019
    • Fall 2018
    • Summer 2018
    • Winter 2018
    • Holiday 2017
    • Fall 2017
    • Summer 2017
    • Spring 2017
    • Winter 2017
    • Holiday 2016
    • Fall 2016
    • Summer 2016
    • Spring 2016
    • Fall 2015

A Four-Year Christmas Story By both chance and design, Lindy Hockaday ’17, has appeared in the university’s Christmas videos for each of her four years at Shenandoah.

By Stephanie Mangino

Melinda “Lindy” Hockaday ’17, most definitely did not start her Shenandoah University career intending to appear in the university’s Christmas video for each of her four years here.

lindy-hockaday-headshot

“It just kind of happened,” said Hockaday, a senior musical theatre major from Houston, Texas. For the first video, filmed in 2013, she was asked to help out as she worked in the conservatory’s costume shop. She remembers being called over with a, “You – on the floor, right there,” and eventually, she was part of a scene where she pretended to work on President Tracy Fitzsimmons’ holiday dress.

Spot her in the 2013 Christmas video:

When 2014 rolled around, she made another Christmas video appearance. “I wasn’t as featured, but I’m still in it,” she said. She’s one of the girls in a dance class. She also remembers thinking to herself then, in passing, “Oh, I guess I’m in another one.”

See if you can figure out where she is in the 2014 Christmas video:

By 2015, she helped out again, by request. People were needed for a scene in Halpin-Harrison Hall, home of the Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business. She’s a member of a group that hands university mascot “Buzzy” the hornet a box of donations. She also speaks as part of the group, which offers Buzzy thanks.

Check out her turn in Shenandoah’s 2015 Christmas video:

She was asked to appear in the 2016 video for a different reason: people had figured out she had been in the videos for the prior three years and the Office of Marketing and Communications, which produces the video, wanted to make it an even four. But, a masterclass almost scuttled the whole thing, because the 2016 video required a pretty time-sensitive shoot.

“I had a GREAT class and learned a great deal, but you could say I was RUNNING down the hallway at 5:30 p.m.,” to get to the shoot, Hockaday said. After that close shave, she arrived and hit her mark. “They were so incredibly sweet when I showed up. They put me in the video filming something with a candle, and it felt great to finish off my four years of Christmas videos!”

See how she fits in, so very well, as part of the 2016 Christmas video:

While the videos have been fun for Hockaday, she said they’re also a treat for her family. “My mom takes pride in them.” Whenever Hockaday participates in a video, she said her mother always points her out, with a “That’s my daughter!”

Now Hockaday, having finished “her reign as the Shenandoah Christmas video queen,” is ready to build her own career in musical theatre – one she’s been preparing for since she was in her mid-teens, having been homeschooled for her last three years of high school so she could ready herself for her chosen profession. A self-described hard worker, she’s excited for what the future holds – January is audition season for her. She’s already been offered some opportunities in Germany, and knows she could also end up in places like New York City or Philadelphia.

And, as the years pass, she’ll be able to click on a video and relive her time at Shenandoah, with some Christmas spirit thrown in. “[Being in the videos] was always a joy, and it’ll be something I can look back on fondly. Christmas is my favorite time of year, so it all kind of ties in!”

This Issue’s Articles

top 10 2019 magazine header

Shenandoah’s Top 10 of 2019

It's that time of year. Check out what made this year so special at SU!

Matt Strosnider

Keeping Music in the Family

Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business graduate has become the new owner of Shenandoah Music

Thomas Wilkins ’78

Conducting Dreams

Wilkins ’78 conducts National Symphony Orchestra with Jennifer Hudson At Wolf Trap and earns Dreamer Award

Brett DeVore ’98 participates in international community service project.

Making a Difference in Sri Lanka

Occupational therapist Brett DeVore ’98 participates in an international community service project sparked by his longtime connection with the Boy Scouts of America.

Books featured image

Edifying Opportunities

Pharmacy alumnus David Merola ’18 talks about how his Shenandoah experience is supporting his current efforts as a Ph.D. student at Harvard University.

Genuine Educators Featured Image

Genuine Educators

Alumni are shaping the Staunton community through physical education.

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