ABC27 Segment Spotlights Milton Hershey School Teacher and Alumna
Featuring MHS Alumna and Teacher Chris Cook ʼ81
Forty years ago, Chris Cook, now alumna and teacher, became the first female graduate of Milton Hershey School, establishing herself as a trailblazer for the school community. But this achievement was just one step in her incredible journey, which has continued long after she earned her diploma.
“As a teacher, to have the opportunity to give back to our kids and impact them in hopefully great ways, to help them grow up and be successful citizens—it’s something I consider a gift,” said Cook, during an interview with abc27 anchor Valerie Pritchett, as part of the station’s “Something Good” series.
Chris has taught kindergarten at MHS for the last 35 years, a hallmark of her family’s multi-generation commitment to the school. “My daughter Jennifer is a fourth-grade teacher at MHS and my daughter Megan is currently an intern here,” Cook said. “Megan’s dream job is to become a school psychologist at MHS when she graduates Lehigh with her Ph.D.”
For Chris, embracing the MHS mission has brought her story full circle. “This school and my work here, it isn’t a career—it’s a way of life.”