MHS Students Shine at Annual HE&R Art Exhibit

As the winners of the Milton Hershey School Juried Art Show stepped out of the elevator in the Hershey Press Building, they were welcomed with a red carpet, colorful streamers, and a cheering assembly of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts (HE&R) employees ready to celebrate their artistic achievements. This was clearly no ordinary visit to the Hershey Press Building. On this special day, students were honored for their creative excellence as their artwork was unveiled in the building’s MHS Art Show Exhibit. In this vibrant backdrop, their smiles didn’t just appear—they sparkled.

This annual event places a spotlight not only on the artwork students have poured themselves into, but also on the partnership between HE&R and MHS—one grounded in fulfilling Milton S. Hershey’s founding dream of giving children every opportunity to thrive. The exhibit stands as just one of the many ways HE&R brings that mission to life each year.

“We are so appreciative that our partners at HE&R find ways to showcase the talents of our extraordinary students.” MHS President Peter G. Gurt ’85 said.

When walking through the exhibit, it’s hard to miss fifth grader Kamso Ebiringa-Chika’s piece. He is deeply passionate about sports and wanted his artwork to reflect that passion while also representing who he is today.

“I created it in a month using colored pencils, oil pastels, and markers,” Ebiringa-Chika said. “It represents my love of sports and my life at MHS. I’m really proud of it.”

Among the many animal-themed works on display was fifth grader Heaven Heckstall-Didy’s piece, a creation that stood out not just for its artistry but for the heartfelt connection it carried to both her family and her aspirations.

“I drew an ostrich because my grandma loves ostriches and I like them too,” Heckstall-Didy said. “I also hope to be a cartoonist when I grow up.”

In reimagining Iris Scott’s well known “Shaking Dog,” fourth grader Keegan Clouser aimed to infuse the piece with an MHS identity, capturing its energetic motion using the colors that define our school community.

“I like how it’s a shaking dog,” Clouser said. “I wanted to use gold and brown to make it a Milton Hershey dog.”

Each of the art pieces represented so much more than the images themselves. They tell a story of talent, but also of the community behind each student that made every brushstroke possible.

“The Hershey Press Building art exhibit is a tremendous way for our organization to showcase the many talented Milton Hershey School students,” HE&R President and CEO John Lawn said. “It is more than displaying their artwork; it is celebrating their accomplishments. This event allows the students to share their vision and inspiration for their art pieces and has become an annual favorite tradition for our team members.”

Hershey community partners impact our students in powerful ways. Through mentorship and opportunities that extend beyond the classroom, they encourage MHS students to dream boldly and turn the ideas they express on canvas or elsewhere into the futures they are destined to lead.