Milton Hershey School’s Opening of School Celebration Unites Community

This August, Milton Hershey School welcomed its students back to campus for the 2021-22 school year with a weeklong Opening of School Celebration.

In honor of our co-founders, who believed in the power of community, MHS is following in their footsteps with this year’s annual theme, Greater Together. This theme encourages our school community to achieve individual goals while also supporting others so they can reach their full potential.

Let’s take a look back at our Opening of School activities:

Saturday, Aug. 14-20

Founders Hall was illuminated with a combination of colors to represent this year’s annual theme and served as an evening reminder to be Greater Together.

Saturday, Aug. 14

Milton Hershey School Senior Division students for Opening of School kickoff

The celebration kicked off with an unveiling theme video, Greater Together games, swag items, and special dinners in student homes and Transitional Living (TL) buildings.

Sunday, Aug. 15

Chapel services resumed at MHS and Pastor Mike Wagner brought the new school year theme to life through religious programs.

Monday, Aug. 16

To celebrate the first day of school, MHS held outdoor pep rallies at each school building featuring DJs, balloon arches, signage, and MHS staff encouraging students to have a great start to the school year.

Wednesday, Aug. 18

MHS students and staff across campus were encouraged to complete a random act of kindness as a collective effort to demonstrate that we are Greater Together.

Friday, Aug. 20

Milton Hershey School commemorates Opening of School Celebration with fireworks show

To culminate the MHS Opening of School Celebration, students, staff, and the entire Hershey community got to experience a brilliant fireworks display above Catherine Hall.

The fun does not stop there! To continue the school year theme throughout 2021-22, MHS has created Greater Together assets such as wallpapers, posters, and a themed Spotify playlist to encourage the MHS community to choose today to embrace their greatest selves each day.

Additionally, MHS President Pete Gurt ’85 tasked the community with a daily challenge.

“Decide to make today, and every day, a great day. Challenge yourself to set and reach goals. Make our campus the greatest community it can be. Because after all, here at MHS, we are Greater Together,” Gurt said.

Learn More About 2021 Opening of School CelebrationView the Greater Together Video Playlist

Milton Hershey School is carefully following federal and state guidelines, CDC considerations, and MHS-established health and safety protocols to keep our campus a safe, nurturing, and healthy place.