MHS Custodian Raises the Bar Through Student Connections
During the 2024 Opening of School Assembly, President Pete Gurt ’85 encouraged the entire Milton Hershey School community to Raise the Bar in a way meaningful.
“The power for change comes from a community that knows what it cares about,” President Gurt said.
Braden Maines ’80, a 38-year MHS custodian, centers his work around the students who benefit from the school.
“I think the world of them,” Maines said. “We are here because of the students.”
Maines decided early on in the school year that he would Raise the Bar by connecting with every MHS Elementary Division student home. Visiting all 55 homes seemed like a daunting task, but Maines was committed. He remembers how much adults impacted his life from his enrollment day in October 1967 to graduation in 1980. This was his opportunity to make a positive difference.
“I told the students that Milton Hershey School saved me and my twin brothers’ lives,” Maines said. “It also instilled lessons into us that made us the men we are today.”
Maines also encouraged the students he visited to keep items that have personal meaning to them. For Maines, that included patches, pictures, and other objects he collected during his time at MHS. His favorite memento is a replica of the Milton and the Boy Statue that is in Founders Hall.
“When you look at that boy, I’m one of the 12,000 alumni who have graduated,” Maines said. “I always use that in my presentations because all of this happened because of Milton and Catherine Hershey.”
Maines explained that as a 13-year MHS student, he understands how living at a residential school can be challenging. However, Maines said, 58 years after his enrollment day he has zero regrets.
“I told them that even adults have bad days but how we handle them is what matters,” Maines said. “I explained that when I was having a bad day here as a student, I knew I could go to an adult because they were always here to help me and they should never hesitate to do the same.”
At MHS, the students also often help the adults on campus.
“I had so much fun being around them, just being able to see the smiles on their faces,” Maines said. “They would come up to me afterwards and give me a high five, fist bump, or a hug. It was so rewarding to visit all Elementary Division student homes.”
MHS encourages all employees, regardless of their job title, to make a positive impact on students’ lives. As for Maines, his pledge going forward is to be a continuous and supportive role model for his colleagues and the entire MHS family.