A Rite of Passage Rooted in Legacy: Class of 2026 Plants Tree During Founders Week
On a crisp November morning, the Milton Hershey School Class of 2026 gathered on the grass near Founders Hall for a tradition that spans generations—the Senior Tree Planting Ceremony. This event, held during Founders Week, is more than symbolic; it is a rite of passage that reflects the values, gratitude, and aspirations of the senior class.
The ceremony invited students to pause and reflect—on who they have become, the legacy they inherit, and the responsibility they carry forward.
As seniors stood in a close circle together around their tree, they considered how the roots established through the School Pledge and Milton Hershey’s legacy will continue to guide them after graduation. The tree they planted serves as a living testament to their time at MHS, representing growth, resilience, and the deep roots of character and moral values instilled throughout their journey.
Before the ceremonial planting, Transitional Living leaders shared reflections gathered from every senior—a collective pledge to live by the school’s Sacred Values beyond graduation. These reflections, written on biodegradable paper and placed in the soil beneath the tree, symbolize their shared commitment to honor Milton and Catherine Hershey’s extraordinary gift.
“This ceremony began 87 years ago when seniors wanted to honor a teacher who shaped their lives,” said Jen McConnell, MHS Senior Division principal. “Since 1970, senior class trees have been planted here at Founders Hall. Each tree stands as a living testament to the growth and resilience of our graduates and the strong roots of character that anchor them.”
The senior class tree planting began as a tribute to George Copenhaver, the first superintendent and housefather of Hershey Industrial School, which later became MHS. George and his wife, Prudence, the first matron and housemother, were foundational in establishing the way MHS operates as a home and school. They brought Milton and Catherine Hersheys’ vision of building a family-like environment for children in need to life. The legacy of the Copenhavers lives on every day through the School Pledge, which George penned 100 years ago—this anniversary inspired the 2025-26 school year theme, Our Pledge.
Senior Ebunoluwa Fakiyesi, president of TL Jackson, spoke for herself and her classmates on what the Pledge means to them and how it inspires them to be the best versions of themselves.
“We vow to embody the School Pledge and values it upholds; through maintaining a strong work ethic, following the Golden Rule, and doing all that we can for the good of our school, our country, and our God,” said Fakiyesi. “The pledge is a compass—a stark reminder that if you stumble, get up and wipe the dirt off your knees and flourish—unrestrained, determined with a fire in our hearts that continues to grow decade after decade with the roots we establish with this seedling.”
Together, students recited the School Pledge, reaffirming their promise to live by its words and the Golden Rule. Bells tolled as senior class president Deneia Howard took the first ceremonial shovel to plant the Class of 2026’s tree, marking the moment with a solemn reverence.
Finally, with solemnity and pride, each senior added soil to the tree—a gesture earned through their dedication to living Our Pledge and upholding the school’s Sacred Values. This act was not just about planting roots in the earth, but about planting hope for the future and the person each student strives to become.
As Founders Week continues, the Class of 2026 leaves behind more than a tree; they leave a legacy of gratitude, integrity, and purpose—a legacy that will stand tall for decades to come.