Milton Hershey School Celebrates Founders Week with Parade and Fireworks Show

Milton Hershey School closed out its annual Founders Week celebration with a spectacular new event: a parade followed by a dazzling fireworks display over Founders Hall. The event capped off a week dedicated to honoring the vision and generosity of Milton and Catherine Hershey, whose dream of providing opportunities for children began more than a century ago.

A Parade of Creativity and Community

The inaugural Founders Week parade brought together the entire MHS community in a vibrant display of creativity and school pride. Student and staff-designed floats lined the route, each inspired by the year’s theme, Our Pledge, and showcasing unique interpretations of the Sacred Values. Highlights included:

• Founders Hall Float, and floats paying tribute to Milton and Catherine Hershey
• Class floats for freshmen through seniors
• Creative designs such as floats dedicated to the three lenses through which we view Our Pledge: as a mirror, a window, and a door
• Sports-themed displays and performances by the marching band, color guard, Spartan dancers, and cheerleaders

Hershey community partners, including The Hershey Company, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, and Penn State Health, joined the festivities, reinforcing the strong ties between MHS and the surrounding community.

A Grand Finale Under the Stars

As the sun set, the celebration reached its peak with a breathtaking fireworks show above Founders Hall. The MHS community gathered to watch the night sky light up in honor of the Hersheys’ enduring legacy—a fitting tribute to a week that celebrated history, service, and unity.

Honoring a Legacy That Changed Lives

Founders Week commemorates the signing of the Deed of Trust on November 15, 1909—a document that established the Hershey Industrial School, later renamed Milton Hershey School, and set in motion a mission that continues to transform lives today. Milton and Catherine Hershey believed that every child deserves a chance to succeed, and their commitment to education and care has grown into a legacy that has touched tens of thousands of lives.

This year’s Founders Week activities encouraged students and staff to reflect on the school’s Sacred Values and their personal commitment to living them every day. Throughout the week, students participated in service projects, including creating candy bar wrappers to thank veterans, crafting ornaments for community members, and assembling care kits for those in need—echoing the Hersheys’ spirit of generosity.

Students spent time in the classroom focusing on lessons about the history of MHS and how to apply the lessons of our founders’ generosity and work ethic to their everyday lives. They also participated in spirit days, such as dressing like their future career, showcasing the history of their student homes through themed attire, and wearing Our Pledge t-shirts to share their dedication to our School Pledge.

More Than a Celebration

Founders Week is more than a series of events; it is a reminder of the values that guide MHS and the promise made over a century ago to provide children with opportunities for success. By introducing new traditions, MHS continues to honor its past while inspiring future generations to live with purpose and gratitude.