Milton Hershey School Begins 2026 Founders Week with Chapel and Senior Tree Planting 

One hundred and seventeen years ago, Milton and Catherine Hershey founded Hershey Industrial School, now Milton Hershey School, to provide a home and school for children. Mr. Hershey hoped to help 100 students, but their vision and generosity grew to create opportunities for more than 12,000 graduates and counting. 

On Sunday, Nov. 8, the MHS community opened its week-long celebration of the Hersheys’ generosity and vision at the Founders Week Chapel Service. Middle and Senior Division students, faculty, and staff gathered in the building built to honor the Hersheys, Founders Hall.  

In his keynote address during the service, Middle Division houseparent Warren Biggar challenged students to embrace the school year theme, Spartan Fame, and to think deeply about the qualities they want to be known for while aligning their daily actions with those values.  

Referencing the “I want to be known for…” badges distributed at the Opening of School Assembly, which everyone in attendance wore, Biggar encouraged students to view character, faith, and integrity as the compass that guides their lives. He drew connections between the journeys of Job from the Bible and Mr. Hershey, noting that both faced significant adversity but remained grounded in their values and trust in God. 

Biggar reminded students that Mr. Hershey’s legacy was not built on wealth or business success alone, but on a steadfast commitment to serving others. He emphasized that Mr. Hershey’s faith, perseverance, and belief in the value of every person shaped the school that bears his name.  

In addition to Biggar’s message, the Chapel Service included scripture readings and inspirational songs that the community sang together.  

When all students dismissed, the Class of 2027 went outside of Founders Hall for their second of three senior class rites of passage, the Senior Class Tree Planting. The first was a visit to Mr. and Mrs. Hershey’s home, High Point Mansion, and the third will come in May when they visit the Hersheys’ gravesite after the annual Memorial Day Assembly. 

MHS Senior Division Principal Dr. Jennifer McConnell reminded students that Spartan Fame provides a framework for answering an important question: What will they do with the gift the Hersheys have given them? 

“Spartan Fame is not about being famous or popular; it is about what you become known for because of your choices, your character, your effort, and the way you treat other people,” McConnell said. 

Each Transitional Living (TL) building wrote a collective reflection answering the question “What does Spartan Fame mean to us and how will the choices we make, the way we treat others, and how we respond to challenges define what the Class of 2027 is known for?” Prior to the tree being placed into the ground, they placed the reflection into the soil surrounding the permanent fixture on the MHS campus. 

“Your reflections contain stories of growth, challenge, failure, perseverance, and hope,” MHS Associate Director of Transitional Living A.J. Rinaldi said. “Those experiences are part of what has shaped you and today they become part of what nourishes your class for years to come.” 

Senior Emma Trevor read her TL’s reflection, which reminded everyone that Spartan Fame means leading by example regardless of the circumstances.  

“When we cross that stage in June, we hope to be remembered as a class that valued kindness and service above all else,” she said. 

Trevor’s classmate, senior class President Mehki Connelly, reminded his peers that despite challenges they must remember the value of the Hersheys’ gift. 

“Although we each define Spartan Fame in our own ways, we can see unifying similarities,” Connelly said. “There are those among us who believe it means always being willing to try and there are those who think being adaptable leads to fame. Above all else, we can agree that it is not about being the best, but rather about being able and willing to help others go alongside us.” 

Connelly then placed the first shovel full of dirt into the ground to secure the tree, and each of the more than 260 classmates added their own scoop to secure the tree’s future on the MHS campus, much like they are working to secure their own future as they work towards Commencement.