The voices of Milton Hershey School are all distinct, but each extraordinary in their own way. MHS blog tells the stories of our extraordinary students, staff, houseparents, parents/sponsors, and graduates. Read on to learn what brought them to MHS, the impact it has had, and the impact they hope to impart on the lives of others.
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By Jocelyn Crist, MHS Eighth Grader Since I can remember, I have loved using my hands to learn. From working on actual cars in a mechanic shop to taking apart...
By Heather Dougherty, MHS Teacher and Head Swimming and Diving Coach For many people, one job is enough. But for me, as a parent of three active children, staying busy...
By Jaelyn Lewis, MHS Senior Too often, people my age don’t realize the power of their own voice. On Jan. 16, 2023—Martin Luther King Jr. Day—I had the opportunity to...
By Shannon Newell, MHS Middle Division Reading Specialist It’s no secret that proficiency in literacy and reading is as important for long-term success as the soft skills we speak so...
By Malachi Thomas, MHS Senior Growing up in Southwest Philadelphia, I always knew that my mom—a single mother of two—did her best. Before I came to Milton Hershey School, we...
By Ashley Spence, MHS Junior Ever since I was a little girl, I loved to swim. Gliding through the water gives me a sense of freedom and joy. When I...
By Karen and Leno Washington, MHS Houseparents After growing up in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and meeting in high school, we knew this area would always be our home. We never considered,...
By Hilda Dimopoulos, MHS Administrative Assistant and Charter Bus Monitor During my 25 years as a Milton Hershey School employee, there is nothing that I look forward to more than...
By Dedra Doutrich, MHS Houseparent Recruiter and Former MHS Houseparent When I first learned about the role of houseparenting, my husband, Justin, and I knew that there was something special...
By Kelly O’Brien, MHS Senior Division Teacher I’ve learned in my eight years of teaching social studies and history at Milton Hershey School that my job is always evolving, and...