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A Life-Changing Education: How Milton Hershey School Supports Our Students, Graduates, and Their Families

Featuring Sarah Pearson, MHS Family Relations Counselor, and Bob Ebert, MHS Senior Director of Graduate Programs for Success

Sara Pearson headshot

At Milton Hershey School, the transformative power of education extends far beyond the classroom. Through dedicated professionals like Sarah Pearson and Bob Ebert, students, graduates, and their families receive the guidance, resources, and encouragement they need to thrive.

Sarah draws her expertise from the connections she has formed with families through our Home Life program. She joined the MHS community in 2012 as a houseparent with her husband, Josh, and their two young children. Through her role, she gained a deeper understanding of the support families need from MHS to be successful.

“We loved our role with the students we cared for and really enjoyed partnering with families. We still maintain strong relationships with many of them,” Sarah shared. This passion for connection led her to her current role on the MHS Family Relations team, where she builds trusting and supportive relationships with countless families.

Bob Ebert Headshot

Bob brings decades of experience working on the high school academic team—his first 14 years as a high school social studies teacher, 11 years as a boys basketball coach, and 10 years as the high school principal. In the summer of 2024, Bob moved into his current role as MHS Senior Director of Graduate Programs for Success. It’s allowed him to connect with young graduates—some of whom he remembers well.

“It is extremely rewarding to see the success, efforts, and appreciation of our young graduates as they continue to pursue their career aspirations,” Bob said.

Their experiences are why they’re featured in our recent video special about the mission of MHS, titled “A Life-Changing Education.” Together, their expertise exemplifies the heart of the school’s work, empowering lives through a life-changing education.


We asked them to share more about their work. The following are their answers, in their own words:

Sarah, what is the role of MHS Family Relations?

With student success in mind, the MHS Family Relations team creates programs to help families support their children, connect, and promote personal growth. Each family’s needs are different, so we are here to meet them and be the connection point for them regardless of their MHS journey.

Here are a few examples of how we engage with families:

    • Kidsick Support Group: An online group of parents and guardians that meet monthly to support one another.
    • Grandparents Brunch: Another place to connect with others in similar circumstances.
    • Family Weekends: Hosted three times a year and allow our families to spend time together on campus, have fun, and connect with MHS staff and students.
    • Gertrude Gurt Family Center: A space on campus designed just for families to spend time together. During the week, families can stop in for coffee and chat with Family Relations staff or plan a visit with their child on select weekend days.
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Sarah, what resources are available to help new parents and guardians navigate the transition when their child enrolls at MHS?

We know that deciding to enroll your child at MHS isn’t easy. That’s why we created our New Sponsor Seminar. These sessions, held twice each school year, are a phenomenal resource for new families. Along with specific emails for new parents and guardians, they provide tools for navigating the adjustment period. Our staff also reaches out to new families several times throughout their first year to check in, celebrate milestones, and determine what extra support is needed.

Sarah, what would you say to a prospective parent or guardian deciding whether to enroll their child?

I recognize that choosing MHS is a sacrifice for you and your family, so I admire you for considering this big decision. When I talk with our parents and guardians, they regularly share that it’s a sacrifice that comes with amazing benefits, such as joining a larger family like MHS and watching their child grow in ways they never imagined.

Bob, what is Graduate Programs for Success?

Graduate Programs for Success, or GPS, provides academic, career, and postsecondary advisement and support for students in grades 5 through 12 and graduates pursuing certification, associate, and bachelor’s degree programs. Our mission is postsecondary success for every student and graduate we work with to achieve their career and life goals.

Bob, what types of resources and services does your team provide?

GPS includes pillar programs such as College and Career Readiness, Higher Education Support, and the Continuing Education Scholarship.

Here’s a little more information on each:

College and Career Readiness

Our counselors provide ongoing support and advisement to fifth through 12th graders regarding the postsecondary planning process. In addition to assisting students with their high school schedules and academic concerns, counselors work to identify students’ strengths, interests, and skill sets. This helps them develop a unique GPS plan for each student, leading to career success.

Counselors also:

    • Complete course scheduling and academic planning
    • Complete career assessments
    • Counsel students about career resources and fairs
    • Monitor and review high school graduation requirements
    • Facilitate and chaperone college visits
    • Assist with the college application process
    • Write letters of recommendation
    • Assist with the financial aid process, such as completing FAFSA forms
    • Assist with the Continuing Education Scholarship (CES) paperwork
    • PSAT/SAT registration and testing
    • Serve as guest lecturers in the junior and senior seminar classes

Higher Education Support

Specialists work with recent MHS graduates as they pursue postsecondary education. They provide academic, financial, and personal advisement through regular communication and visits to graduates’ college campuses. Graduates and MHS Higher Education Support Specialists communicate monthly via text, phone, and/or email. Our specialists advocate for graduates throughout their journey.

Continuing Education Scholarship (CES)

CES is a partnership between MHS and our young alumni to help make higher education affordable by adding college-awarded aid to cover basic costs. The Deed of Trust, signed by Milton S. Hershey and his wife, Catherine, on Nov. 15, 1909, establishes our scholarship program as “… a system of premiums and rewards dependent upon good behavior, character, and proficiency … toward the further education of the scholar at some other school, college, or university.”

Bob, tell us more about how we tailor support to our students with varied postsecondary plans.

This occurs in a variety of ways. For instance, our MHS Higher Education Support Specialists are assigned student caseloads within their support areas of expertise. We have four-year secondary school specialists, a two-year technical or community college support specialist, and a certification/workforce development support specialist. Additionally, each specialist tier graduates on their caseloads based upon their support level:

    • Tier 1 is universal support
    • Tier 2 is intentional advisement
    • Tier 3 is intrusive advisement

This tiered approach could relate to academic, financial, health, and/or social issues.

Bob, what more can you tell us about the Continuing Education Scholarship?

MHS students can accrue this scholarship during their high school years. The scholarship is allocated across the four years of high school based upon qualifying criteria that the school has determined are the success indicators that will lead to our students meeting the MHS Definition of Success. This includes grade point average, work ethic, respect, and significant contributions to our school community. Over $100,000 can be accrued per student.


Watch Sarah and Bob in the TV Special Below

Milton Hershey School does not discriminate in admissions or other programs and services on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, religious creed or disability. Read important MHS policies on equal opportunity and diversity, equal employment opportunity, and more.