MHS Gathers at Annual Feast to Honor Founders and Encourage Senior Class
Founders Week Concludes with All-School Celebration and Senior Pinning Ceremony
On Sunday, Nov. 17, Milton Hershey School students and staff gathered for the school’s annual Founders Feast – a special program and dinner that marks the conclusion of this year’s week-long Founders Week celebration.
The MHS family joined together to honor the generosity of Milton and Catherine Hershey, who formally established the school 110 years ago. Their decision to ensure the well-being and future of Milton Hershey School in perpetuity has impacted the more than 2,100 students enrolled in the school today.
President Pete Gurt ’85 challenged the students to reflect on the meaning of gratitude and the many Golden Opportunities available to them because of Milton and Catherine Hershey’s vision.
“It is impossible to not have a grateful heart as we celebrate our home and school’s 110th birthday,” said President Gurt. “What Mr. Hershey experienced in his past gave him reason to feel gratitude toward the people who helped him. Gratitude helps you make sense of your past, brings peace to your today, and creates a vision for your tomorrow. Gratitude helps us celebrate the present, which is what we are doing tonight.”
Earlier that day, the senior class participated in the annual Senior Pinning Ceremony. With only 210 days until graduation, the seniors were challenged to finish their final year at MHS strong. The pins and pendants are gifts from the Alumni Association and are presented as a reminder of the determination the students needed to get to this milestone and a source of encouragement as they cherish their last year on campus.
“The necklace is something I am going to treasure, just like the rings we will get when we graduate,” said MHS senior Brianna Ferguson. “It is something we have to carry with us throughout the year to remind us how close we are to the finish line.”
“Today is a step closer to the milestones I am going to complete throughout my life,” added MHS senior Jose Mendez-Montero. “MHS means the world to me. My friends have become my brothers and we will be moving on to college together as well.”
The commencement ceremony for the class of 2020 will be held on Sunday, June 14, 2020.
View photos from the Founder Feast and Senior Pinning celebrations:
