MHS Lifer is Thankful for Excellent Education

Kamryn Kostelnik will graduate in June with the amazing accomplishment of being a Milton Hershey School lifer. MHS has had more than 600 alumni enroll in pre-K, kindergarten, or first grade. At MHS, these students earn the distinction of being a “lifer” once they complete at least 12 years of schooling and graduate. 

As we prepare to celebrate them at the school’s 91st Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, June 15, we asked several of this year’s lifers what their time at MHS has meant to them. 

What were your early years like at MHS?

I had some of the best houseparents who always supported me and were always there for me. I struggled when I was in Elementary Division due to my family living so far away, but I always had people who supported me and were there when I needed them.

How has MHS helped your family?

MHS has helped me and my family in many ways. They accepted me and my four siblings into MHS. First, my three older siblings, then me and my younger brother, who is still here at MHS. They helped us have one of the best educational experiences. 

What did you learn at MHS at a young age that you wouldn’t have back at home? 

Some things I learned at MHS that I would never learn from home is how to clean things properly. I wouldn’t have learned how to manage time at home because when I was home at a young age, I felt like I just did what I wanted. 

What was your biggest challenge here? 

I think my biggest challenge was adjusting to MHS. I think it was difficult because I’m so close to my siblings and family. It was hard to leave them and leave a place where I was able to see family every day. I was also homesick for a while before I could fully adjust to MHS. 

What does being a lifer mean to you? 

Being a lifer means a lot to me. I feel like being a lifer made me have more time to know more people and get close to them. I also had the chance to get the best opportunities and education here.

What is one piece of advice you would give a new student who is enrolling at a young age? 

A piece of advice I would give to a younger student is to try to make as many friends in Elementary Division as possible because they stick with you all through Middle and Senior Division. Stay close with your Elementary Division houseparents because those are the first people who are really taking care of you, and when you go to Middle and Senior Division it will mean a lot to you going back down to your Elementary Division student home with those houseparents who supported you to get to that point. 

What is the biggest takeaway after attending MHS for so long? What are you most excited about in the future?  

My biggest takeaway from MHS is knowing I have people there for me no matter what is going on. I love how people are close to each other and bond over even the smallest things. I love how the teachers are here for us and want us to have the best future possible.

Something I am most looking forward to about my future is becoming an early education teacher and making a difference in kids’ lives, like some teachers did for me. I also want to be able to be there for kids, no matter what they are going through.