MHS Students Leave a Lasting Impact During Annual Service Trip
Giving back is second nature to Milton Hershey School students, who stand out for their dedication to serving others and making a positive impact in their communities. This summer, 26 students volunteered their time to the people of Floyd County, Kentucky, during a Domestic Service Learning Experience (DSLE) trip.
Over the past five years, the Floyd County region has experienced three catastrophic floods, causing major damage to their homes and facilities. MHS students and chaperones—during two separate trips to the region—completed numerous service projects to aid the community.
Volunteering at the local animal shelter, cleaning up Jenny Wiley State Park, and even partnering with the Girl Scouts for an engaging promotional event are just a few of the many ways our students gave back to the community. Not only does this help the people of Floyd County, but it also instills a strong work ethic in our students and nurtures their empathy.
“I learned to persevere during this trip,” said student volunteer Mackenzie Via. “Even when we wanted to give up because we were hot or tired, we still overcame it and completed our tasks.”
“Having a group to help paint playground equipment and to entertain lonely animals has surely given the staff around here moments to breathe and plan for the future,” said Sara White, MHS Regional Admissions Counselor.
MHS aims to instill positive values in every student. From the daily recitation of the MHS School Pledge to the MHS Sacred Values plaques around campus, character development is an integral part of the lives of our students. Domestic Service Learning Experiences encourage positive spirit, strengthen leadership skills, and motivate students to not only help their own community, but to look further and help others across the country.
“Our students represented MHS with pride and displayed our MHS Sacred Values consistently,” said chaperone, Brienna Mundy. “I am humbled and filled with gratitude.”
While serving others is the main priority of the trip, educating the residents about the opportunities available at MHS is a close second. Floyd County is an area with a poverty rate of 20%, according to U.S. Census data. With a poverty rate nearly double the national average, MHS strives to help this community. During the first DSLE trip in 2023, Floyd County native Chasity learned about MHS and decided to apply.
Stories like Chasity’s highlight the powerful dual impact of the DSLE trip—uplifting communities in need while opening doors of opportunity for future MHS students.