MHS Student’s Mural Honors Catherine Hershey at New Reese’s Plant

When the doors opened at the brand-new Reese’s plant, it wasn’t just chocolate innovation being celebrated. A striking mural created by Milton Hershey School senior True Martel now greets every visitor who walks through, serving as a vibrant tribute to Catherine Hershey and the legacy she shaped.

The idea started with leaders at The Hershey Company, who felt strongly that MHS should be represented in the new plant. Recognizing Catherine Hershey’s quiet yet powerful role in the founding of the school, the team recruited MHS students to design a mural that represented MHS but also paid tribute to Catherine Hershey and reflected the values of the school she helped create.  

Over the course of several months, Graphic Communication Technologies program students in the Class of 2025 worked closely with company leaders, refining their design to meet their customers’ requests. In the end, leaders in the plant voted on Martel’s design and promptly had it made into an eight feet by eight feet canvas print.

The design features an overhead view of Catherine Hall, with a portrait of Catherine Hershey in the bottom right corner, and her favorite flower, roses, dancing across the canvas. 

“Catherine Hall on top of the hill is so iconic and capturing her favorite flower tied it all together” said Star Gibbs, Talent Development Manager at The Hershey Company.  

True was stunned when she heard the news.  

“When Mrs. Harmon told me that my artwork got picked, for a while I thought she was joking.” said Martel. “I went to the hall and cried tears of joy after.” 

More than just a beautiful piece of artwork, the mural reflects the growing relationship between The Hershey Company and MHS. Martel’s mural now stands as a lasting symbol of that connection. It is a celebration of student talent and the enduring influence of a woman whose vision helped create a home and a future for thousands of children.

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