Milton Hershey School Alumni Fellowship Weekend Reconnects Spartans Across Generations
Milton Hershey School welcomed alumni back to campus for Alumni Fellowship Weekend, April 24-26, 2026. The three-day gathering centered on connection, mentorship, and the shared responsibility of carrying the school’s mission forward.
The weekend opened Friday with MHS Career Day, where alumni partnered with Career and Technical Education programs to share professional insights and real-world experience with students. Alumni also spent time reconnecting with campus through visits to the Heritage Center at Kinderhaus, Dearden Alumni Campus, and the Founders Hall Visitors Center. The day concluded with the President’s Reception, which supports MHS Alumni Association scholarships and financial awards for graduating seniors.
On Saturday, alumni and members of the Class of 2026 gathered in the Founders Hall Dining Room for the annual Alumni-Senior Brunch, a tradition that celebrates achievement while marking seniors’ transition to alumni status.
During the program, alumni were honored for lives of impact shaped by their MHS experience:
- Academic Excellence Award: Tonji Grissinger ’17
- Community Service Award: Justin Torres ’09
- Career Accomplishment Award: Brandon McCoy ’08
Tonji Grissinger ’17 serves as a school psychologist with the Lower Dauphin School District. After earning advanced degrees in psychology and school psychology, she returned to MHS as an intern before beginning her career. She was nominated for her outstanding academic achievements, leadership, and commitment to using her education to make a meaningful impact on students’ lives.
Justin Torres ’09 is the founder of Project Heroes First, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting high-risk veterans, first responders, and their families. A former member of the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division, he continues his service by reaching thousands through advocacy, programming, and policy work. He was nominated for his continued dedication to service and his far-reaching impact on communities in need.
Brandon McCoy ’08 serves as a district content lead teacher at Friendship Public Charter School and was named the 2023 Washington, D.C. Teacher of the Year. His leadership has helped drive student achievement, including contributing to his school being recognized as a top-performing middle school in Washington, D.C. He was nominated for his excellence in education, leadership, and commitment to empowering the next generation.
Addressing the graduating seniors, McCoy offered a message of encouragement rooted in his own journey.
“To this year’s graduating seniors — you are already ahead,” said McCoy. “You have been shaped by sacrifice, by community, by a school that bet on you before you could bet on yourself. Get involved. Accept the coaching. Welcome the discipline. Those aren’t obstacles to your success — they are your success. And lift someone else along the way.”
Seniors were also recognized for their accomplishments:
- Academic Excellence: Maame Afia Asante
- Community Service: Kamaya King
- Career Accomplishment: Shatik Medina
As part of a tradition dating back to 1955, each senior received an alumni pin, symbolizing their lifelong connection to the Milton Hershey School alumni family.
Alumni Fellowship Weekend concluded Sunday with a renewed sense of purpose. For alumni and students alike, the weekend served as a reminder that the MHS experience extends far beyond graduation—sustained through mentorship, service, and a commitment to lifting others along the way.