Milton Hershey School Lifer Shares How Finding Joy in Everyday Moments Shaped Her Outlook

By: Eden Newman, MHS Senior

Juannah Pyne 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.

What is your earliest memory of MHS?

My earliest memory is actually my first day. I remember coming into the student home with my parents and meeting this girl who was really cool. I don’t know what drew me to her, but we clicked. We were good friends for a long time after that.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I knew from an early age that I wanted to be a doctor, and for a long time, I thought this meant a medical doctor. It wasn’t until high school that I realized I truly wanted to be a psychologist. Now, I plan on attending Arcadia University, where I will study psychology in hopes of one day becoming a licensed psychologist.

What moment at MHS shaped your story?

There was a girl in my student home who originally left the school for a specific reason, then came back. We were all confused, but she then began to explain what she had realized during her absence, like how important MHS was to her and her life. She missed the connections, the supportive growth, and the community she’d built at MHS. This changed the way I approached MHS because, for me, if someone was willing to come back after living the “normal life,” I knew I was somewhere good. Her story made me look at all I was grateful for and hold onto it a little bit tighter.

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

I have always been drawn to art, but with my houseparents in Elementary Division, I got to see art in an entirely different way. They experimented with different styles and always encouraged us to explore and be creative in every way we could. I remember my student home creating a fake holiday where we would listen to Hawaiian music, eat Hawaiian cuisine, and dress in grass skirts and leis. These minuscule events meant so much to me and encouraged me to be great. It’s small moments like this that inspire me to be an artist and think outside of my comfort zone.

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

I think she would remind me to have fun and not take life too seriously. I often get wrapped up in the things I need to do and forget to leave time for myself to rest, recharge, and be myself.

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

I would remind them to look at the bigger picture and not get hung up on how long they’ve been here. There was a time when graduation felt so far away, but now it is only a few short days away. I realize now how many good moments and days I truly got to experience here. Use those days, good and bad, to your advantage, and a time to create goodness out of what seems like a plateau. Prioritize finishing strong and keep your head up. Enjoy every stage while you can.