Shenandoah Conservatory hosts free performance of “Women+ on the Edge of Democracy”

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Shenandoah Conservatory was selected to participate in the nationwide “Women+ on the Edge of Democracy” initiative on October 27th.

The event will use readings on a variety of topics from playwrights to highlight the women’s experience in 2026.

Shenandoah Conservatory is one of just 54 organizations in 30 states invited to participate in the nationwide initiative.

36 new short works by women+ playwrights will be performed by Shenandoah University’s Bachelor of Fine Arts Acting students and explore the current state of democracy through comedy, tragedy, and perspectives spanning the political spectrum.

Following the performance, the audience is invited to join the discussion to explore themes and questions raised by the readings.

2017 Shenandoah University Alum Sami Pyne plays a key role in the national initiative and serves as the project manager and strategic thought partner for the program through her homebase in New York City.

Pyne coordinated with Professor of Theatre Kristen Trump to ask SU to participate in the initiative.

When asked, Professor Trump replied, “Yes, yes and again, yes! It is with great pride that I look at Sami’s accomplishments as a producer, and at this project, particularly, which is bringing a nationwide voice and conversation to the women’s experience in 2026.”

The free performance will take place on Tuesday, October 27th and doors open at 7pm at the Hazel-Pruitt Armory.

For more information on the performance, click here.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Shenandoah launches first Air Traffic control program in VA

 Shenandoah University students can now work towards an Undergraduate Certificate in Air Traffic Control ahead of the program’s full launch this spring.

SU is the first school in Virginia and 13th in the Country to offer the program which bypasses the FAA academy in Oklahoma City.

To become an Enhanced Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative program, SU invested in an immersive state of the art air navigation simulator with AI enabled speech recognition and response, electronic flight strip board, digital recording capabilities, and a dedicated instructor station for creating, evaluating, and monitoring scenarios.

The new certificate program is completed through five courses over two years and students will have the credentials needed to start a career as an air traffic controller.

SU Director of Aviation Studies Tony LaRosa said, “The air traffic controller shortage is real and it’s serious. I’m proud that Shenandoah is stepping up to prepare students to meet the challenge.”

For more information, click here.

For more information from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

SCPS announces Melissa Foltz as Interim Superintendent

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Last week, the Shenandoah County School Board announced the appointment of Melissa Foltz as the Interim Superintendent, effective August 1st.

Foltz has served SCPS for the past 35 years as an elementary teacher, reading specialist, assistant principal and principal.

She has held the role of principal at Sandy Hook and W.W. Robinson Elementary Schools and since 2017 at Strasburg High School.

Foltz holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and an endorsement in Administration and Supervision PreK-12 from James Madison University and at Shenandoah University she earned a masters of Education in Reading and completed the Reading Recovery Certified Teacher Training.

In the announcement, School Board Chairman Larry Vance said, “A number of names were suggested, but Ms. Foltz brought the best range of experience and knowledge of the Shenandoah County School System.”

“I am truly honored to serve as Interim Superintendent of Shenandoah County Public Schools,” said Foltz. “I look forward to working alongside our
exceptional leadership team, whose dedication and expertise will help ensure a smooth”
transition.

Previous Shenandoah County Superintendent Dr. Melody Sheppard submitted her letter of resignation earlier this summer and was announced as the new Superintendent of Amherst County Public Schools on June 17th.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

News Maker: Sam Iden, Winchester EDA, on Business Resource Fair

News Maker Sam Iden, Winchester EDA, discusses the upcoming Business Resource Fair on July 29th, 2026 at the HIVE on campus of Shenandoah University.

Whether you are launching a new business, growing an existing company, exploring entrepreneurship, or looking for workforce and career-connected opportunities, this event will provide direct access to resource partners, business support organizations, funding information, networking opportunities, and expert guidance.

Attendees will have the opportunity to:
• Connect with local and regional business resource organizations
• Learn about funding, startup, and growth opportunities
• Explore workforce and career development resources
• Network with entrepreneurs, professionals, and community leaders
• Discover tools and strategies to support business success

To listen to Sam’s News Maker, click here.

For tickets, click here.

News makers are sponsored by Warren County.

Experience Warren County Where History, Nature, and Family Come Together.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

News Maker: Sam Iden, Winchester EDA, on Business Resource Fair

News Maker Sam Iden, Winchester EDA, discusses the upcoming Business Resource Fair on July 29th, 2026 at the HIVE on campus of Shenandoah University.

Whether you are launching a new business, growing an existing company, exploring entrepreneurship, or looking for workforce and career-connected opportunities, this event will provide direct access to resource partners, business support organizations, funding information, networking opportunities, and expert guidance.

Attendees will have the opportunity to:
• Connect with local and regional business resource organizations
• Learn about funding, startup, and growth opportunities
• Explore workforce and career development resources
• Network with entrepreneurs, professionals, and community leaders
• Discover tools and strategies to support business success

For tickets, click here.

News makers are sponsored by Warren County.

Experience Warren County Where History, Nature, and Family Come Together.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

SSMT granted marketing funds to attract overnight guests

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The Virginia Tourism Corporation recently granted Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre a grant of $10,000 through the Marketing Leverage Program.

Shenandoah plans to use the funds to attract patrons to Winchester as overnight guests which will increase economic activity in the community.

SU is partnering with local businesses like the George Washington Hotel, Cafe Del Sol, Friends of Old Town and others to build marketing campaigns that bring visitors to the theatre and surrounding areas.

SSMT is also working with tourism affiliates to pilot a new visitor cooperative program where patrons can present their ticket stub from the theatre to receive discounts or other incentives from partnering businesses, and the theatre hopes to begin that program in 2027.

Jeremy Blaustein, producing artistic director of SSMT, said, “We aim to do double duty: create unforgettable multigenerational experiences and also boost our local economy by attracting visitors who support area shops, restaurants and hotels. A thriving arts scene is not just a cultural treasure – it’s a hallmark of a healthy, vibrant.”

To view the full announcement, click here.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. 

Graduation season begins in the Shenandoah Valley

Graduation season begins around the region this weekend with Shenandoah University’s commencement ceremony taking place Saturday morning at 10 am at the James R. Wilkins Center.

The ceremony will honor over 1,400 graduates and the University is anticipating roughly 5,000 attendees so expect heavy traffic near campus entrances and Millwood Avenue Saturday morning.

SU’s Commencement events begin on Thursday, May 7th with the Graduate Walk Through and Grad Bash and will conclude with Saturday’s Ceremony.

Laurel Ridge Community College and Christendom College will host their commencement ceremonies next weekend.

Other Spring ceremonies include:

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. 

SU PA students raise $10,000 for Winchester Rescue Mission

Shenandoah University’s Physician Assistant Studies program donated $10,000 to the Winchester Rescue Mission following their successful fundraising campaign and gala in September.

The event is completely led by SUPASS students, the universities chapter of Student Academy of the American Academy of Physician Associates, with a faculty member serving in a supporting and supervisory role.

The planning committee which is mainly second year PA-Students spends about 4-5 months to plan and execute each event.

Planning includes coming up with a theme and selecting the beneficiary.

Over 45 donors and local businesses supported the gala’s silent auction to help raise additional funds.

Since 2007, the SUPA Gala has raised over $150,000 to support local organizations.

For more information on this year’s event, click here.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Shepherd and Jefferson County announce direct admission agreement

Shepherd University and Jefferson County Schools announced a new expanded partnership that will provide direct admission for Jefferson and Washington High School students to Shepherd while eliminating the need for a traditional application.

In the agreement, students with a 2.5 GPA or higher will automatically receive admission to Shepherd to help provide a seamless transition to higher education while removing the application process and associated fees.

Representatives of the schools met last week to celebrate the first 11 students admitted through the partnership.

Those students include Ayden Semashko, Isabella Johnston, Laiken McGinnis, Morgan Keysor, Miana Longerbeam, Peyton Cunningham, Brissia Sanchez, Austin Brown, Sven Dupree, Rebecca Cline and Amber Lo.

In the announcement, Shepherd President Dr. Mary Hendrix said, “This direct admission program aligns with our mission of providing accessible, high-quality education to students in our community. We look forward to welcoming more Jefferson County graduates to our university and supporting them in achieving their academic and career goals.”

For the full release, click here. 

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Shenandoah Conservatory launches 150th anniversary season

To celebrate Shenandoah University’s 150th anniversary, the Shenandoah Conservatory announced their 2025-2026 season of music with world class performers, acclaimed guest artists and the next generation of performing artists.

The Performing Arts Live guest artist series will welcome Broadway powerhouse Mandy Gonzalez who starred in “Hamilton” and “Wicked,” international Jazz star Lucia, and other renowned musicians.

Other acclaimed guest artists visiting this season include the Grammy Award winning Catalyst Quartet and Pulitzer Prize winner Julia Wolfe.

Wolfe will also serve as the 2025/2026 distinguished composer of residence during the collaborative concert series, the Ear Candy Music Festival.

The season will also include dance, opera, and orchestra performances along with numerous free recitals showcasing conservatory faculty and their colleagues from across the globe

To view the upcoming conservatory performances, click here.