Milton Hershey School Finishes 2022-23 School Year

Students and staff at Milton Hershey School have been busy celebrating a Day WON as the 2022-23 school year comes to an end. The Class of 2023 also participated in several senior-only activities to help them reflect on their time at MHS.

On Wednesday, June 7, after completing their academic courses, seniors participated in a ceremony where they each received their class rings. The ceremony included remarks from MHS President Pete Gurt ’85 and representatives from the MHS Alumni Association. Gurt noted the class ring is a meaningful tradition at MHS.

This year’s ceremony was especially significant, he said, because it was the first year it took place near the giant replica of the MHS senior class ring that was installed in Founders Hall last fall. Before each student received his or her ring, they were required to share what the ring meant to them.

“For me, the ring is a symbol of friendship because of the friendships I realized as a student,” Gurt said.

Students will wear their ring facing inward until commencement to remind them to reflect on their time at MHS. After they receive their diploma, they will turn their ring outward to show the world they are a living part of Milton and Catherine Hersheys’ legacy.

For the last 83 years, the MHS class ring has remained unchanged and continues to represent the unique bond that graduates of the school share. Many alumni continue to wear their class ring years after their MHS graduation to keep them connected to their alma mater.

As a part of the ceremony, seniors were also gifted ties and bracelets specially made for this senior class and Day 1 … Day WON sweatshirts from President and Mrs. Gurt.

“It is our unique way of connecting and bonding with you now and throughout your lifetime,” President Gurt said.

Additionally, they walked down memory lane while signing their classmates’ yearbooks.

On Thursday, June 8, the Class of 2023 traveled to the Philadelphia area for a riverboat cruise and a fun-filled time at Dave & Busters. Back at MHS, students in ninth through 11th grade took a day out of the classroom to give back to the community during the school’s annual Day of Service.

The last day of school—Friday, June 9—was full of excitement across the MHS campus. Elementary and Middle Divisions celebrated with Fourth- and Eighth-Grade Promotion Ceremonies, while seniors prepared for prom. The Class of 2023 are the first students to use the in the newly-renovated Founders Hall for this sentimental moment.

All students and staff are gearing up to celebrate the soon-to-be-graduates on Sunday, June 11, during the MHS Commencement Ceremony.

Learn More about Commencement Weekend at MHS Read about the Class of 2023