Milton Hershey School Alumni Come Together for Homecoming Weekend
Last weekend, Milton Hershey School welcomed hundreds of alumni back to Hershey, Pennsylvania—even a few who graduated from MHS in the 1940s—for Homecoming Weekend 2022. For many MHS alumni, this is a special weekend to reconnect with former classmates, houseparents, teachers, and current students. From tours of the newly-renovated Founders Hall to a win for the Spartan football team, the weekend was full of fun for all.
To kick off the weekend, five alumni were inducted into the Spartan Hall of Fame during a special ceremony. The Spartan Hall of Fame Award is a unique distinction for alumni and community members who committed their time at MHS to the Visual and Performing Arts program and athletics. Nominees must have demonstrated good citizenship as students and since graduation.
This year’s inductees include:
Athletics:
- Fonati (Ward) Abrokwa ’01
- Judith Agyepong ’02
- Ryan Blom ’15
- Garry Gilliam ’09
- Thomas Johnson ’81
Visual and Performing Arts:
- Terrance Bradford ’92
- Christie (Johnson) Lathan ’00
- Andy Menschik ’76
- David Pepka ’92
- Christina (Burge) Sage ’92
Throughout the remainder of the weekend, alumni participated in memorial services, class reunions, and more. They shared meals together, attended the Homecoming football game, and reminisced about their time at MHS and all that has transpired since then.
This year, tours of Founders Hall were offered to alumni for a sneak peek into the renovated building. Jocelyn Bioh ’01, 2022 MHS Alumna of the Year, was incredibly moved to see the new performing spaces, visitors center, and more.
“I had a real emotional moment seeing my picture amongst the other Alumni of the Year winners,” Bioh said. “It was great to be able to bring my husband along for him to see the school that he knows so much about—so many memories and friends I have to this day. It’s so special to be able to share this important part of my life with him.”
As the MHS Graduate Programs for Success Division continues to expand their work, new opportunities were offered to alumni during Homecoming Weekend, including the Alumni Career Services and Hershey Entity Career Fair and Purchasing Your First Home 101.
After watching the Spartan football team win 49-21 over Lower Dauphin, many alumni gathered for the Homecoming Banquet and a family night for alumni with their children. On Sunday morning, alumni and current MHS students participated in a special Chapel Service together and afterwards, alumni remembered their classmates in several memorial services.
For many alumni, Homecoming Weekend keeps them connected to MHS and gives them the opportunity to see the legacy of Milton and Catherine Hershey in action. Bioh added, “Campus is so much bigger. I’m always surprised by how much campus can continue to expand, but that just means that there are more students, like me, who can get the opportunity to attend MHS.”
