MHS Houseparents Named CORE Houseparents of the Year

Milton Hershey School houseparents Victor and Gloria Brand have led their student home for 17 years with unwavering commitment and compassion. Many girls continue to seek their guidance after they transition out of Middle Division and even after they graduate from MHS. Other houseparents turn to them for advice and support.

This fall, the Brands’ dedication to improving students’ lives earned national recognition when they received the Coalition for Residential Excellence’s (CORE) 2025 Catherine Hershey Award for Houseparents of the Year. The annual honor recognizes houseparents who go beyond the call of duty in order to ensure the physical, emotional, and general well-being of their students.

“Victor and Gloria serve with humility, purpose, and a genuine desire to help students become the best versions of themselves,” MHS Assistant Vice President of Education and Student Life Dr. Tara Valoczki said. “Their love for the students and the school community is evident in everything they do.”

The Brands’ MHS career began 17 years ago. Victor’s brother and sister-in-law, Javier and Emma Brand, had been working as relief houseparents for five years—a job they still hold to this day. Gloria said they drew inspiration from Victor and Javier’s mother, who raised 10 children.

“It is work, but it takes a village to do it,” she said. “With just the two of us, it is not possible. We need the teachers, the parents/sponsors, everybody else.”

Victor said the MHS Sacred Values—Integrity, Commitment to Mission, Mutual Respect, and Positive Spirit—serve as their guide throughout the ups and downs of caring for 12 Middle Division girls. Victor and Gloria provide a nurturing, supportive environment while also holding high expectations. They are warm demanders who emphasize academic achievement, character development, and holistic growth.

“We raised our daughters the same way we raise the MHS students,” Victor said.

Whether through their warm smiles, encouraging words, or their genuine belief in the potential of every individual, they radiate positivity and inspire those around them. They are respected team players who collaborate seamlessly with colleagues across all disciplines.

The Brands credit each other for their career success.

“The marriage bond, trust, and communication make this job possible,” he said.

“We are a team,” she added.

Houseparenting at MHS comes with a generous compensation package, but the true reward for the Brands is watching their students grow while part of student home Rose Garden and then flourishing in Senior Division and post-graduation. Victor beams with pride when he recalls former students returning to share life achievements or introduce boyfriends, hoping to gain his approval.

“I remember when a girl who came to the house after graduation, hugged us, cried, and said she graduated because we never gave up on her,” he said.

The Brands also connect with students by chaperoning International Learning Experiences trips to Panama and Thailand and domestic service learning experiences to Kentucky. They are always visible at schoolwide events and enjoy being part of the MHS community.

“This isn’t just a job, it’s a lifestyle,” Gloria said. “Everything MHS offers the students is amazing.”

The Brands received their award at the 2025 CORE Conference held in Waco, Texas. Additionally, MHS Board Chair Maria T. Kraus ’89 was honored as CORE Trustee of the Year.