A Taste of Business: MHS Students Deliver Bold Ideas for Hershey’s Next Treat
After months of immersive coursework, industry engagement, and realworld problem solving, students in the Hershey Honors Business class at Milton Hershey School reached a significant milestone on Jan. 15, delivering their final business presentations to leaders from The Hershey Company (THC).
The Hershey Honors Business class is a unique collaboration between MHS and THC that gives students firsthand exposure to the business operations of a beloved international brand. Throughout the semester, students explored topics such as marketing strategy, operations, finance, and innovation, while regularly learning from professionals across Hershey’s corporate teams. The experience was designed to mirror the expectations of a professional business environment—challenging students to think critically, collaborate effectively, and communicate their ideas with confidence.
For their final assignment, students developed original business proposals rooted in authentic challenges and opportunities facing THC. Presenting directly to company representatives, students pitched their ideas, explained their research and rationale, and fielded questions—just as they might in a corporate boardroom.
“I learned how important delivering a strong business presentation really is,” said MHS junior Sammy Lamoureux. “How you present your ideas directly influences how your audience perceives them and whether they align with your perspective or not. This class showed me that knowing how to communicate your ideas is just as important as having a good idea in the first place.”
In addition to sharpening presentation skills, the course offered students an inside look at a variety of career paths. By hearing from professionals across different departments at THC, students gained insight into the breadth of opportunities available in the business world and how classroom learning connects to career opportunities.
The final presentations represented not only the culmination of the semester’s work but also the confidence students had built through continuous mentorship and hands-on learning. Standing before professionals from one of the world’s most recognized brands, students demonstrated poise, preparation, and well-researched proposals.
The partnership between MHS and THC continues to create meaningful opportunities for students to learn beyond the classroom, reinforcing MHS’s commitment to preparing students for success in college, careers, and life.
“This culminating curricular event highlights the value of an authentic Hershey entity audience,” said Emily Gallo, MHS Director of Strategic Partnerships. “Milton and Catherine’s One Hershey vision was realized in those presentations, in the conversations that followed, and in the connections built between The Hershey Company employees and our students.”
As the Hershey Honors Business students wrapped up their final presentations, they did more than complete an academic requirement—they gained practical experience, professional skills, and a clearer vision of what their futures in business could hold.