Jun 14, 2026
Commencement
The Culmination of the 2025-26 School Year: Our Pledge
At Milton Hershey School, Commencement is more than a ceremony. It is the celebration of an entire year’s journey, the realization of our school year theme, and the embodiment of Our Pledge. For a century, the School Pledge has been more than words. It is a living commitment to character, unity, and service. Throughout the school year, students, staff, and alumni brought Our Pledge to life, culminating in the traditions and milestones that define our MHS experience.
100 Years, 1,000 Voices
This year, MHS kicked off the 100 Years, 1,000 Voices Challenge to honor 100 years of Our Pledge. Thanks to an outpouring of shared stories from across our community, we surpassed our original goal of 1,000 voices and raised our new goal to 2,026 voices to celebrate the graduating class. At Commencement, we proudly revealed the final tally of 3,213 voices! Thank you to everyone who submitted to this challenge.
See some of our 3,213 community voices on social media below.
Commencement Week 2026
Graduating from Milton Hershey School is a milestone shared by the entire MHS community. This June, we celebrated how the Class of 2026 lived out Our Pledge—by supporting one another, rising to challenges, and preparing for what comes next.
Rewatch all the end-of-year celebrations below.
#MiltGrad2026
As a senior class, 219 students achieved a new milestone by becoming graduates from MHS.
View #MiltGrad2026 on Facebook2026 Commencement Ceremony
Milton Hershey School recognized the Class of 2026 on June 14, 2026, at the 92nd Commencement Ceremony. Learn more about our newest graduates below.
Learn More About Our Newest GraduatesLivestream replay will be available on Monday, June 15.
Universal Congratulations
Milton Hershey School congratulates the Class of 2026 for all they’ve accomplished at MHS. We look forward to supporting them in the next chapter of their lives!
Watch the Commencement 2026 Playlist
Lifers: 12 Years of Living Our Pledge
MHS celebrates a special group of graduates each year called “lifers.” These students began at MHS in first grade, or earlier, and remain enrolled through graduation. There are 33 lifers in the Class of 2026.
Meet the Lifers
2026 MHS Alumna of the Year
Milton Hershey School has named Maria Kraus ’89 the 2026 Alumna of the Year for her exceptional strategic leadership, deep commitment to the MHS mission, and lasting impact on generations of students.
Read the AnnouncementRead Her Success Story
Senior Chapel and Ring Ceremony
On Sunday, June 7, the Class of 2026 earned their class rings during our annual Senior Chapel and Ring Ceremony. The MHS class ring tradition dates back to the 1930s, symbolizing unity and a deep connection to the Hershey legacy.
Read More About the Senior Chapel and Ring CeremonyRewatch the livestream below.
Class of 2026 Accomplishments
On Saturday, June 13, MHS recognized members of the Class of 2026 for their achievements inside and outside the classroom. Together, the MHS community recognized these students and celebrated all they accomplished.
Read the Full List of Award WinnersRewatch the livestream below.
Promotion Ceremonies
Along with celebrating the graduating class, June also marked a transition for our younger students at MHS. On Friday, June 12, MHS held Promotion Ceremonies for our fourth and eighth grade students moving on to their next scholastic division.
Fourth Grade Promotion Ceremony
Read More About the Fourth Grade Promotion Ceremony
Rewatch the livestream below.
Eighth Grade Promotion Ceremony
Read More About the Eighth Grade Promotion Ceremony
Rewatch the livestream below.
Opening of School Assembly 2025
In August, MHS announced the school year theme, Our Pledge, at the Opening of School Assembly. This year marked a historic milestone, 100 years since the writing and adoption of the MHS School Pledge.
Watch highlights from the assembly below.
Founders Week 2025
This year’s Founders Week transformed our campus into a vibrant celebration of Milton and Catherine Hershey’s enduring legacy. From student-led service projects and engaging classroom lessons to historic events like the first-ever Founders Day parade, fireworks over Founders Hall, and the largest SGA Leadership Conference in school history, the week truly embodied the spirit and pride of MHS and Our Pledge.
Our Big Pledge Challenge
Shaquille O’Neal brought his larger-than-life energy to MHS to surprise our students during the Our Big Pledge Challenge event, where he played games and encouraged the students to embrace values such as strength, purpose, and perseverance. The event reminded us what the School Pledge calls us to do:
- Look in the mirror to grow.
- See out the window to serve.
- And walk through the door to the kind of life where legends are made.
