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Milton Hershey School President’s Office Spreads Holiday Cheer Before Christmas Break

To spread holiday cheer across Milton Hershey School, MHS President Pete Gurt ’85 and his wife, Jane, created a safe “12 Days of Christmas” celebration for MHS students this holiday season. The 12 days were filled with surprise swag drops, festive student home activities, and even a visit from Santa Claus, himself.

MHS Holiday Lights at the Homesteadq

The 12 Days of Christmas from the Gurts kicked off on Saturday, Dec. 5 with the help of MHS Grounds employees. The outside of scholastic buildings, the Alumni Memorial Grove near Founders Hall, and the Homestead were decorated in holiday lights for a drive-thru light show.

MHS Holiday Ornament

Throughout the celebration, MHS students received surprise swag drops of Spartan wear gifts including: Our Future in Focus-themed ornaments and shoelaces, Croc Jibbitz, beanies, scarves, crew cut socks, long-sleeve shirts, and hoodies. A select group of MHS seniors were in on the surprise swag items as the Student Government Association created a focus group to review the wearable designs in advance of the drops.

Hershey Sweet Lights 2020

The Hershey community joined in on the fun as Hershey entity employees participated in student home activities as part of Project Fellowship. Hershey Entertainment & Resorts donated an exclusive night at Hershey Sweet Lights for the MHS community to enjoy. The Hershey Company provided ingredients for student homes to create their own festive HERSHEY’S chocolate houses. The Hershey Fire Department escorted Santa Claus and his friends through MHS campus on his way back to the North Pole.

Santa from the Hershey Fire Company

The twelve-day celebration filled campus with Christmas spirit before students count down the hours until Christmas Day. To view all of the student home surprises and activities, visit mhskids.org/holidays-at-mhs.


Milton Hershey School does not discriminate in admissions or other programs and services on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, religious creed or disability. Read important MHS policies on equal opportunity and diversity, equal employment opportunity, and more.