MHS Middle Division Students Make History in Hershey Story Museum Writing Contest
For the first time in school history, students from Milton Hershey School’s Middle Division earned top honors in the Hershey Story Museum’s 26th Annual History Contest for Young Writers, marking a major milestone for the MHS community.
Two Middle Division students earned first-place awards in the poetry category. Jonah Jervay-Hill received first place in Senior Level Poetry for his poem “Morning on Cleveland Avenue,” while Cara-Ann Bash earned first place in Junior Level Poetry for “The Unbroken Ink.” Their accomplishments mark the first time Milton Hershey School students have placed in the competition. First-place winners were honored at the museum’s Business Partners in Education Breakfast on Wednesday, April 15, at the Hershey Lodge.
Jervay-Hill began writing “Morning on Clevland Avenue” during Black History Month, which ultimately inspired his poem’s focus on Rosa Parks.
Bash drew on past lessons from the Grimm Brothers to create something beautiful in “The Unbroken Ink.” She was shocked to find out she had won first place.
“I’m just proud of myself,” said Bash. “I like being able to tell everybody that I got this once in a lifetime opportunity.”
In addition, Nygeriah Hall earned second place in Senior Level Fiction for her piece “Pachisi,” making MHS one of the only schools represented with multiple top placements in this year’s contest.
Now in its 26th year, the writing contest encourages students to explore and communicate their knowledge of history through original work. A 33-member panel of historians, educators, and community leaders reviewed nearly 300 submissions from students in grades 5 through 8 across seven central Pennsylvania counties.
The success of these students reflects their creativity, dedication, and the strong focus on literacy and academic growth at Milton Hershey School.