10 Lessons that Shaped My MHS Legacy

By Abby, MHS Senior

I don’t know how many times I’ve heard the saying “hindsight is 20/20,” but I never fully understood it until now. I am days away from graduation, and all I can do is reflect.

I can’t begin to explain everything I’ve learned to get me where I am, but I can tell you some of the most important. The advice I want to give students who will follow me is simple:

1. Leave a legacy that makes you proud. Take the time to appreciate what you have here, and remember that you are entitled to nothing – always stay humble and kind.
2. Be the person you needed when you were younger. Build relationships with people who will always be there for you. Not just students but adults, too.
3. Take the time to thank the people who have influenced your life and have invested in you as a person. The adults on this campus are here to motivate you.
4. Realize the time you spend here is precious and a blessing. You might not recognize it now, but one day you’ll be grateful to the place that made you a better person and a better “you.”
5. Never shy away from an opportunity. The world is at your fingertips, and you have endless support at your disposal. You have the chance to make something of yourself, so make sure you do it. Hindsight is and always will be 20/20, so don’t look back wishing you would have done something.
6. Remember this is the best place on Earth for you. It’s okay to complain sometimes, but always be thankful. Go out and make memories – talk to people, have fun with your friends, and enjoy being a kid while you can.
7. God comes first, always. It’s easy to turn to God only when we need something, not when our lives are going well. As the years have progressed, I’ve come to realize that I need God more on my great days than on my bad ones.
8. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Pride was always a roadblock for me, and I thought I could do everything on my own. I was fooling myself and only made life harder due to the added pressure I put on myself. It’s okay to turn to people who love you and want to help you. You’ll feel better, and it always helps to have a little extra support.
9. Be confident. I have a few regrets because I could have done so much more at MHS, but I was always too afraid. You can’t grow when you are comfortable (which I was never comfortable with, ironically).
10. Remember the little lessons. Say “please” and “thank you,” and always speak to adults with respect. The greatest joy in life is making other people happy.

After graduation, I am attending Susquehanna University to study psychology. My plan is to continue into graduate school and eventually become a licensed therapist for criminal psychology, or family and marriage therapy. I’m also planning to study abroad in Ireland to get a new sense of culture.

Eventually, I would love to come back and work at Milton Hershey School – the work the employees do here is impacting the world, and I want to be a part of changing lives.

Most importantly, I want to inspire people. I want to be someone who makes a difference and has a lasting legacy.

As graduation gets closer, I am proud of the young woman I have become, and I am proud of where I am headed in life. MHS has taught me how to be comfortable with myself, which I think is the greatest lesson anyone can learn.

Words could never express the gratitude I have for this school and all the beautiful people who have impacted my life. I am humbled to have been a part of this journey, and to call these people my family and to call this place my home.