Milton Hershey School Honors Professionals for Commitment to Help Low-Income Children
Milton Hershey School admissions counselors recently held an appreciation event to honor the professionals who have formed partnerships to help low-income families learn more about the school.
More than 25 professionals from across Pennsylvania and the East Coast attended the event to reconnect with the Milton Hershey School students they helped during the application and enrollment process.
As MHS expands enrollment to 2,300 students, our partnerships with educators, social workers, and local professionals reinforce the school’s mission of providing life-changing opportunities to more children.
Lifelong Mentor
Former Pa. state representative Fred McIlhattan was in attendance to meet with 17 students he has mentored over the years.
“I know the opportunities they are able to gain at MHS are incredible,” said McIlhattan.
He first visited Milton Hershey School’s campus 10 years ago. At that time, he discovered only one student attended from Clarion County, one of the counties he represented. For the next decade, Frank made it his mission to help students from his area learn and apply to the school.
“I’m thrilled with their success,” said McIlhattan. “They’re going to graduate and be outstanding citizens.”
A Life-Changing Connection
It was an emotional event for Springford Area School District Social Worker Julie Caterson. She has partnered with MHS for years and enjoyed catching up with MHS senior Tyler Smith.
Caterson met Tyler when he was only four years old and worked with his single mom who wanted to provide a better situation for her son.
“As a social worker who makes regular home visits, you see children in really difficult circumstances through no fault of their own and usually no fault of their parents,” Caterson said. “We can only do so much as a district so it’s amazing to have a place like MHS where they’re lifted up and out of those circumstances and given every other opportunity to grow, develop and discover their gifts in a safe environment.”
Caterson and Tyler were able to spend quality time reflecting on his journey at MHS and his plans postgraduation.
“Meeting her changed my life,” Tyler said. “I’m now going to be able to go to college and make an impact on my family and my life.”
Learn more about the school’s admissions considerations and connect with an MHS admissions counselor to help a family who may benefit from learning more about the school program.