Shaped by Faith, Called to Serve at Milton Hershey School

By Timothy Geynovich ’26

Faith has always been important to me, and I want to reflect on how God used Milton Hershey School to shape not only my future but my heart.

Every student who walks onto this campus arrives carrying something. Some carry uncertainty. Some carry hardship. Some carry fear.

Whatever our burden was, we all faced obstacles that tested us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Those challenges could have defined us. Instead, they refined us.

When I first came to MHS, I was afraid. I was entering an unfamiliar environment, and I struggled with feelings of hurt and betrayal as I left my family behind. But within days, I found myself surrounded by people whose stories were different from mine, yet deeply familiar—I realized I was not alone.

What began as uncertainty quickly became a feeling of belonging to a community and a family.

The houseparents, teachers, mentors, and friends I met helped me see MHS not as something I had lost my freedom to attend, but as a gift I had been blessed to receive. Through their support, I experienced empathy, community, and love in ways that opened my heart to spiritual growth.

Over time, I began to recognize that God was working in my life and calling me to serve others.

One of the greatest blessings I experienced was coaching hockey. While I enjoyed helping players improve their skills, what mattered most was helping them build confidence, character, and belief in themselves. Through that experience, I learned that service is not about recognition—it is about impact. It is about using the gifts God gives us to lift others up.

Yet faith is not only built in moments of joy; often it is strengthened in moments of sacrifice.

There were times when God’s plan required me to surrender things I wanted for myself. There were moments when following His call felt difficult. During those moments, I reflected on the sacrifices that made my journey possible.

I thought about my mother, whose love was so great that she was willing to let me go so I could have opportunities she knew would change my life. Her sacrifice meant quiet hallways at home and missed moments that no parent ever wants to miss.

I thought about Milton and Catherine Hershey, whose extraordinary generosity continues to transform lives- generations after their passing. Because they chose to invest in children they would never meet, we have been given opportunities we can never repay.

Their sacrifices taught me that love is often measured by what we are willing to give away for someone else’s future. Because of those sacrifices, I discovered my purpose. This fall, I will attend Lebanon Valley College to pursue a degree in Nursing—a path centered on serving others with compassion, care, and humility.

As I reflect on my time here, I realize that MHS gave me far more than an education. It gave me faith that deepened through challenge. Most importantly, it helped me understand that every gift we receive carries a responsibility to serve others.

At our Opening of School Assembly, President Gurt challenged us to use Our Pledge as a means to look beyond ourselves and be of service to others, while looking inward to the accountability we have to ourselves and our community.

Those words became a guide for how I wanted to live each day at MHS.

Before I could serve others well, I first needed to seek God’s wisdom and guidance in my own life.

Psalm 28:7 reminds us, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him.”

That verse reminds me that no matter where life leads, my strength does not come from myself—it comes from God.

As we prepare to graduate, we know this moment is not the end of our story. It is the beginning of a new chapter. There will be challenges ahead. There will be setbacks, uncertainty, and moments that test our faith.

But we leave this place equipped with something mighty: the values we learned here, the people who invested in us, and the faith that carried us through.

To the Class of 2027, I leave you with advice that was given to me by my mentor: stay focused, stay humble, and keep pushing forward.

And to my fellow graduates, never forget the gift we have been given. Honor it through the lives you lead, the people you serve, and the character you demonstrate when no one is watching.

May we leave this place grateful for where we have been, faithful in where God is leading us, and committed to using our lives to make a difference.