MHS Class of 2027 Begins Final Year with Senior Sunset Chapel and Pinning Ceremony

With a clock to remind them that time is precious and a compass pointing them toward their future, the Milton Hershey School Class of 2027 officially began its final year at their school and home.

The first-ever Senior Sunset Chapel and Pinning Ceremony, held at High Point Mansion, brought the senior class together so they could commit to excellence during their final year at their school and home.

The service at the end of the day symbolized the official end of the students’ junior year.

“Endings can be beautiful,” President Pete Gurt ’85 said. “Endings create new beginnings.”

Gurt told the students that no matter what happened previously, all 262 members now have the opportunity to finish their time at MHS strong. Time, Gurt said, is one of the only things one can never get back. He unveiled a large clock, symbolizing that the time they have left at the school is precious, and a compass, encouraging them to use that time intentionally.

“Once you commit to what you value most, the direction you want to head, the purpose you want to pursue, you now have direction on how to spend your time,” Gurt said.

The students began their year with intentionality by writing a letter to their future selves, which will be returned to them at the end of the school year so they can evaluate their progress.

Following Gurt’s remarks, the students received their Senior Pin, a tradition that dates back to 1937, when students received a pin to mark their 17th birthday and their final year at the school. The tradition evolved to the Senior Pin in 1970 when the MHS Deed of Trust was revised to allow students to stay at the school until they completed high school.

They also had the opportunity to tour High Point Mansion, Mr. Hershey’s former home, and reflect on the gift Mr. and Mrs. Hershey gave them and how they, too, can contribute to the lives of others.