MHS Students Help CHS Families Celebrate the Holidays
Milton Hershey School students recently rung in the season by volunteering at Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning Hershey’s Holiday Celebration.
Four MHS students—each enrolled in the Education and Human Services pathway—helped children at CHS Hershey create ornaments, play games, and enjoy the festivities that brought the entire center together. This spring, the students will return to CHS as interns.
“I enjoy seeing the kids smile and have fun,” said junior Yasmeen Garduno.
Junior Sophia Bradley said she was drawn to her pathway, which is part of the Career and Technical Education Program at MHS, because she enjoys supporting children. Her experience at CHS allows her to practice lessons she learned in the classroom. For example, when a young child became frustrated, Sophia knew it was best to remain calm.
“I just stopped what I was doing and took a step back,” she said.
Junior Noah Meyers is passionate about helping children learn.
“I didn’t always have the best role models growing up, so I want to be one for others,” he said.
Garduno, Bradley, and Meyers will intern at CHS Hershey, while senior Luna Pastor will intern at CHS Harrisburg. Pastor will be the first MHS student to intern at CHS Harrisburg, which opened in the fall of 2024.
The four MHS students are aspiring to receive their Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, a nationally recognized milestone that demonstrates an individual’s early childhood education skills and knowledge. The program requires students to complete 120 hours of coursework and 480 hours of working with children. They must also complete a standardized test, a portfolio, and a successful evaluation of their work in childcare. The CDA credential, and an MHS diploma, will qualify them to serve in the early childhood education field immediately following graduation.
Watching the students volunteer at CHS was a special moment for MHS alumna Meghan Guyette ’13. Guyette is a CHS Hershey family success advocate. Advocates team up with CHS families to set and complete goals.
“I was so excited to come back and be part of Milton and Catherine’s mission,” Guyette said. “The MHS students here today are so helpful, so kind, and they are learning so
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