Rick Caranfa ’87
When Rick Caranfa’s mother enrolled him in Milton Hershey School, life was a blur for the fifth grade student. Rick’s father left his family when he was two months old. His mother struggled to find work, so the family lived in Delaware, the Philadelphia area, and Centralia, Pa.
Rick’s mother was focused on her children’s success, and she knew MHS could help them achieve their dreams.
“I know it had to be horrible for her to drop us off and leave us here,” Rick said.
Rick graduated from MHS in 1987. He earned a degree in geology from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford thanks to the support he received from the MHS Continuing Education Scholarship. His job took him to Angola, Ghana, Yemen, Paris, and Portugal. Today, he is part owner of Akens Engineering Associates, based in Shiremanstown, Pa.
He keeps busy but remembers the foundation of his success.
“If we didn’t get the advantage of what MHS gave us, we would not be where we are today,” Rick said.
Rick enjoys using the lessons he learned at MHS and his more than 30 years of post-MHS life experience to help current students. He regularly volunteers on career days and other similar opportunities.
“I like to remind the kids that the school gives you more opportunities than you ever could have had,” he said. “When I came here, I no longer needed to worry about food, housing, or clothing. I could focus on who I wanted to be.”
MHS also instilled in Rick the importance of a well-managed life. In the School Pledge, students vow to keep their standards high and help others to do likewise. The Pledge also stresses the importance of strong moral character.
“MHS staff taught us that you have to wake up every day and do great work,” he said.
Rick also explains to students that life’s choices are often complex. For example, a job with a higher-paying salary may seem attractive, but sometimes lower-paying jobs give young professionals more experience that could pay off in the long run.
He also stresses the importance of community. MHS is one community he gives back to and he also donates his expertise as chairman of the West Hanover Township Zoning Hearing Board.
Rick, like many of the more than 11,000 MHS alumni, is grateful for MHS putting him on an even playing field despite his life’s early struggles.
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