Front Royal and Linden Students Among Legacy Scholarship Honorees at Shenandoah University

Two local students from Warren County—Kara Mondrone of Front Royal and Jacquelyn “Jacky” Sanchez of Linden—have been awarded the prestigious 2025 Legacy Scholarship from the Shenandoah University School of Business. The announcement came during the school’s fifth annual Legacy Golf Tournament, which raised more than $92,500 to support high-achieving, first-generation business students in the region.

Shenandoah University Legacy Scholarship recipients Katherine Weinhold, Wesley Pendzich, Andrea Suchite-Melendrez, Jaquelyn Sanchez, and Kara Mondrone.

The event, held on April 24 at the Winchester Country Club, is more than a fundraiser—it’s also a student-led business lab, with students planning, marketing, and managing every aspect of the tournament as part of the university’s Legacy Business Class.

Mondrone and Sanchez graduated this May with Bachelor of Business Administration degrees. Both began their college careers at Laurel Ridge Community College before transferring to Shenandoah, exemplifying the power of persistence and purpose in higher education.

Kara Mondrone, who concentrated in sports management, says her goal is to inspire others—especially women—to break barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields. “As a woman in the sports industry, I hope to inspire others to pursue their dreams and break barriers in whatever fields they aspire to be in,” she said.

Her story is one of resilience, vision, and leadership. Mondrone not only successfully transitioned from a community college to a four-year institution but also earned recognition for her academic success and community involvement—values the Legacy Scholarship aims to support.

Jacquelyn Sanchez, known to classmates as Jacky, also transitioned from Laurel Ridge to Shenandoah in 2023. She graduated with a BBA and recently completed a human resources internship with Valley Health, a major regional employer. For Sanchez, the meaning of legacy goes far beyond academics.

“Legacy is not an inherited privilege but the perseverance required to build a new foundation for future generations,” she said. Her words reflect a deep understanding of what the scholarship program represents: a chance for first-generation students to define their own futures—and, in turn, to empower others.

Three other students—Andrea Suchite-Melendrez of Stephens City, Katherine Weinhold of Winchester, and Wesley Pendzich of Stephens City—also received the 2025 scholarship, bringing this year’s total to five recipients, each awarded $5,000.

The Legacy Business Class—officially titled Advanced Management Theory & Practice—is a hands-on learning experience rooted in real-world applications. It engages students in fundraising, marketing, project management, financial planning, and leadership while emphasizing a “legacy mindset” that focuses on making lasting contributions beyond the classroom.

Chelsea Hester, the course’s adjunct instructor and School of Business executive in residence, says the goal is to develop business leaders who lead with more than just spreadsheets and résumés.

“Five years ago, when we started the Legacy Class, we didn’t just want to teach business—we wanted to teach students how to lead with heart, think beyond themselves, and build something that would last long after graduation,” Hester said.

Since 2021, Shenandoah’s Legacy program has awarded a total of $42,500 to nine students, helping to remove financial barriers and highlight student achievements.

For Mondrone and Sanchez, the award represents not just financial support but also public recognition of their grit, leadership, and potential. As graduates and scholarship recipients, they carry forward a message of what’s possible when local talent is nurtured and supported.

Shenandoah University, founded in 1875 and located in Winchester, Virginia, offers more than 200 programs of study and is home to around 4,400 students. The School of Business is AACSB International-accredited, offering academic excellence combined with a strong focus on leadership, community engagement, and hands-on experience.

To learn more about the Legacy Scholarship or to support future recipients, visit su.edu/legacygolf.