Milton Hershey School Welcomes Alumni Home for 2026 Homecoming Weekend

The Milton Hershey School community welcomed Spartans back to campus for the 2026 Homecoming Weekend, held Sept. 17-20. Hosted in partnership with the MHS Alumni Association, the annual celebration brought together alumni, students, staff, families, and friends for a weekend of connection, tradition, and school spirit.

Homecoming Weekend provided alumni with opportunities to reconnect with classmates, revisit campus, and commemorate the experiences that united generations of Spartans. From reunion gatherings and networking opportunities to athletic competitions and special recognition events, the weekend highlighted the lifelong bonds formed at MHS.

This year’s Homecoming activities reflected the 2026-27 school year theme, Spartan Fame, which encourages students and alumni to consider how their actions, leadership, and service contribute to the school’s enduring legacy. Throughout the weekend, Spartans honored the people, traditions, and accomplishments that continue to shape the MHS community.

One of the weekend’s signature events was the Spartan Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, which recognized distinguished alumni and teams whose achievements exemplified the values fostered at MHS. The ceremony celebrated excellence in athletics, the visual and performing arts, leadership, and service while honoring those who continued to make a lasting impact on their communities.

Roosevelt Davis Jr. ’04, Deanna Bradley ’86, Linda Murphy ’91, Randall Bleiler ’78, and the 1980 Girls Cross Country team were celebrated for their athletic achievements, while Ansley Burnett ’03, Kevin Carter ’81, Latoya Burns ’01, Scott Baka ’91, and Andrew Ames ’07 were recognized for their contributions to the MHS Visual and Performing Arts program.

Athletics remained central to the Homecoming experience as alumni, students, and staff cheered on the Spartans to their first season victory during the Homecoming football game.

They won 39-7 against the Middletown Blue Raiders.

The annual Homecoming Banquet provided another opportunity for Spartans to celebrate their shared connection to the school and recognize alumni whose accomplishments reflected the ideals established by founders Milton and Catherine Hershey.

Beyond the scheduled events, Homecoming Weekend served as a reminder that the MHS experience is unlike any other. For alumni, Homecoming rekindles memories that span generations. The memories that come flooding back during Homecoming do more than reconnect alumni to their past—they inspire today’s students to follow in their footsteps and embrace their place in a legacy that is far greater than themselves.

Whether they graduated five years ago or 50 years ago, alumni who returned for Homecoming helped strengthen the bonds that make the MHS community unique. As Spartans gathered once again in Hershey, they celebrated not only the traditions of the past but also the ways they continued to add to Spartan Fame through their achievements, service, and commitment to others.