PA State Legislators Challenged to be MHS Ambassadors During Campus Visit

On Tuesday, Nov. 12, nearly two dozen members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Policy and Children & Youth Services Committees, toured Milton Hershey School and experienced first-hand the school’s commitment to educating the whole child. They learned more about the school’s mission to provide students with the education and skills needed to break the cycle of poverty and earn a family-sustaining wage as an adult.

The legislators were greeted by graduate and MHS President Pete Gurt ’85 who shared his personal story. The MHS Enrollment Management and Family Relations Department gave an overview of the MHS admissions process. Dave Curry, director of the MHS Career and Technical Education program, provided an introduction to the school’s award-winning CTE program and complementary pre-apprenticeship offerings. The group then visited a student home and interacted with students and staff during a working lunch.

“I know that each Congressman/Congresswoman left here enthusiastic about our mission and with a firm understanding of how MHS can benefit constituents in their home communities,” said MHS Director of Admissions Nadine Krempa. “I am hopeful that we will find them to be influential ambassadors for our school.”

Retired State Representative Fred McIlhattan initiated the visit to expose current legislators and their staff to MHS and to challenge them to increase enrollment of children from their districts. McIlhattan, a former member of the House Education Committee who represented Armstrong and Clarion Counties, has assisted approximately 30 students to enroll at MHS, often transporting families to interviews and continuing to support students during their time as MHS students.