New Milton Hershey School Flag Waves Spartan Pride
During the 2026 Milton Hershey School Opening of School Assembly, the room buzzed with anticipation as a new school flag was unveiled for the first time in 67 years.
The flag boldly displays the school’s name on a brown base. It also includes an emblem of the school’s acronym that was included on diplomas in 2025 and 2026.
“In the same way this diploma sends our graduates into their futures, this new flag ushers in a new year to honor our founders,” Senior Division Principal Dr. Jen McConnell said at the assembly.
For senior Barack Hassan, the new color is most symbolic.
“The old flag had a yellow base, while the new flag uses brown. That change feels especially meaningful because brown connects directly to chocolate and to the identity of Hershey,” Hassan said. “It also ties into the idea that ‘chocolate is thicker than blood,’ which represents the family and relationships that are such an important part of MHS.”
Senior Audrey Lewis believes she and her fellow classmates will feel a sense of pride when they return to campus after graduation and see the flag flying high.
“We will remember the memories we made at MHS and the people who helped make our experience special,” Lewis said. “I am proud to be a Spartan.”
The school flag was created in cooperation with the Student Government Association, giving students hands-on experience in art and design.
“This project helped me develop skills in communication, collaboration, and creative decision-making,” Hassan said. “I had to think about how different design choices could communicate an idea without needing words to explain everything.”
Hassan said the project also served as a lesson in the MHS Sacred Value of Mutual Respect.
“I learned how important it is to listen to other perspectives and consider how something I helped create would be viewed by an entire school community,” he said.
For students and alumni, the flag will represent more than a new school symbol. It will serve as a lasting reminder of the relationships, traditions, and history they forged during their years at MHS.