Anthony Oakley ’82

When asked for a specific characteristic he learned at Milton Hershey School, Anthony Oakley ’82 is quick to share his respect for other people and his strong work ethic.

Anthony came to MHS in 1979 at the end of his freshman year after his father had passed away. “It opened up my mind. I was so close-minded before I got to that school, and it just broadened my horizons,” he said as he described what MHS meant to him.

Anthony attributes his discipline, motivation, and drive for success to his houseparents at MHS.

“I learned a lot from my houseparents. They were my parents when I had none…They taught me everything. They taught me how to be a decent person,” Anthony shared. “They were our cheerleaders. They listened to us. When I got in trouble, they disciplined me. I miss them. I want to emulate whatever they taught me.”

After graduating in 1982, Anthony immediately joined the Marine Corps. During his time in the military, Anthony went to Beirut, Lebanon, and Okinawa, Korea. He eventually made his way back to Camp Pendleton in California and worked at Pitney Bowes, a company that works with clients in the commerce world.

He then became a police officer in San Francisco before serving as a federal police officer for the Department of Veteran Affairs. His most recent career shift involved in the field of engineering. Anthony works as an operation supervisor for an engineering department, and he appreciates the impact MHS has made on his career.

“Everything I learned at MHS helped me in the private sector when [I graduated]…I just learned so much about life. I learned so much about people. I learned so much about how to work.”