Gabriella Harris ’08

Gabriella Harris ’08 says if she could use one word to describe her experience at Milton Hershey School, it would be blessed.

“I was taken out of an environment that wasn’t necessarily positive and I was given the tools, the resources, and the skills to grow and become the person I am today,” she said. “Honestly, I could not be more grateful.”

After graduating from MHS in 2008, she attended Villanova University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social and Political Philosophy and a Paralegal certificate.

Upon graduation, she spent a year with AmeriCorps helping students in Philadelphia and assisting with citywide community service projects.

Her passion for helping others translated well into her professional life. She’s currently working as a Youth Advisor for Covenant House of Philadelphia – a crisis shelter for homeless youth. She also is assisting as a Paralegal with Family Design Resources – a social work organization.

Gabriella credits her time at MHS for driving her desire to give back.

“I don’t think I would have the same initiative or the same passion that I have now towards helping other people if it wasn’t for Milton Hershey School. I was able to step back from a negative environment and grow into a positive human being.”