Milton Hershey School Lifer Shares How MHS Became His Sense of Culture and Home

By: Eden Newman, MHS Senior

Dakota Snyder will graduate in June as a Milton Hershey School lifer, a distinction earned by students who complete at least 12 years of enrollment before graduating. More than 600 alumni have begun their MHS journeys in pre-K, kindergarten, or first grade.

As we prepare to celebrate them at the school’s 92nd Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, June 14, the lifers in the Class of 2026 shared what their time at MHS has meant to them.

What is your earliest memory at MHS?

My earliest memory at MHS was going to Ms. Alnor’s class and learning about how to tap a tree for sap to make syrup.

When you first enrolled, what did you want to be when you grew up? Now that you’ve had the opportunities at MHS, what are your post-graduation plans?

I didn’t have a clear idea of what I wanted to be until middle school. Now I would like to go into the world of psychology, maybe counseling.

What moment at MHS shaped your story?

I think overall, the experience from elementary school, middle school, to high school has shaped me and brought me to an understanding of what the world has to come.

What is your favorite memory from your time here?

I’d say my favorite was my sophomore year when I originally joined the MHS swim team.

What was your favorite school year theme?

I’d say my favorite theme was Future in Focus. We were coming back from a crazy year, following COVID, but the theme had a lot of interesting parts to it. It felt different and original compared to other years.

How were your talents and interests honed during your time at MHS?

They were honed by giving me overall mental and physical advancements, whether that be going into the psychology class with Mr. Karavage or going into swimming and starting all the strokes and new forms.

What are the life lessons or takeaways you learned from Elementary, Middle, and Senior Division?

Overall, I would say keep your friends close. From elementary school onward, there are going to be a lot of people who stay with you through those times or might branch off to walk their own path, and it helps to keep them close.

What do you think your younger self would say to you if they could see you now?

I think my younger self would be happy with how I’ve grown and would look forward to becoming this version of me.

How did your culture play a part in your experience here?

My understanding of culture changed a lot at MHS because I’ve been here longer than I have been home, so I would say this school kind of is my culture.

What advice would you give to new students starting at MHS in pre-K, kindergarten, or first grade?

Be good to your teachers. As you get older, they’ll be much more understanding, and you’ll get to know them as mentors and people.