Milton Hershey School Celebrates Class of 2023 at the 89th Commencement Ceremony
On Sunday, June 11, Milton Hershey School graduated 217 seniors at the 89th Commencement Ceremony with parents/sponsors, staff, and students in attendance. The Class of 2023 was overcome with emotion as they reflected on their time at MHS and prepared to start a new journey.
The ceremony included student speeches, special video presentations, and personal recognition of each graduating senior. Savannah Miller, member of the Class of 2023, welcomed more than 5,000 guests to Giant Center and honored her classmates for their resilience.
“Thank you, Milton Hershey School, for allowing me and my classmates to grow and change,” she shared. “For giving me the chance to prove those teachers back home wrong and an opportunity I never saw. For allowing all of us here to have a safe place to trip and fall because we knew there was always someone to help pick us back up.”
MHS President Pete Gurt ’85 also addressed the seniors and audience, recognizing parents/sponsors, houseparents, teachers, and staff, for the role they played in helping the Class of 2023 reach their Day WON.
“It is your vision that inspires your actions, and the daily habits you create that motivate a disciplined mindset, and ultimately lead you to success,” Gurt said to the Class of 2023.
Now that the Class of 2023 has graduated from MHS, they join the 11,000 alumni who have been impacted by Mr. and Mrs. Hersheys’ legacy. To showcase the incredible gift that students and alumni are given at the school, the 2023 MHS Alumnus of the Year Robin Ferrer ’00 joined the celebration, sharing words of wisdom with the graduates.
“You are prepared, capable, and qualified to go out into the world and make your mark,” he shared.”
After the presentation of diplomas, senior Maia Marraro gave a farewell address on behalf of her classmates. She shared that MHS has leveled the playing field for all of the young graduates seated on stage.
“We have embraced adversity head on, and MHS has erased the limits, excuses, and boundaries to us pursuing our dreams,” she added.
By the Numbers
The Class of 2023 has demonstrated the school’s four Sacred Values of commitment to mission, mutual respect, positive spirit, and integrity as they navigated their high school career. As a class, these 217 seniors have volunteered more than 4,737 hours toward community service projects and earned more than 1,200 college credits.
This graduating class was involved on campus in several ways. Fifty-eight seniors were National Honors Society members and 48 participated in the National Technical Honor Society. To top that, more than 130 members of the Class of 2023 completed internships while at MHS. Nearly 100 seniors also earned a Varsity H award for their participation in co-curricular activities.
After graduation, the Class of 2023 plans to find success in many ways:
- 51% Four-Year College
- 24% Two-Year associates/CTE degree program
- 10% Diploma and Certificate Program
- 10% Workforce
- 4% Gap Semester/Year
- 1% Military
Learn More about the Class of 2023Rewatch the Commencement Ceremony
Rewatch the 2023 Commencement Ceremony
Congratulations to our newest graduates! The MHS community cannot wait to cheer you on in your next chapter!
