Re-Discovering Hershey: A Chocolate Education

Before a three-day trip to Hershey this week would have likely filed this post under “Picks & Tips.” However, you’ll instead find it under “Education Corner” for a variety of reasons. While the heart of Hershey is, indeed, chocolate, their investment in children’s education is their soul. A trip to the homes of students who attend the Milton Hershey School made oen fact abundantly clear; the houseparents, teachers, administrators and all those involved in running the schol are doing an outstanding job of giving children in need the skills and education they necessary to be sucessful.

The mission of Milton Hershey School® remains true to the ideals upon which it was founded more than 100 years ago: In keeping with Milton and Catherine Hershey’s Deed of Trust , Milton Hershey School nurtures and educates children in social and financial need to lead fulfilling and productive lives. Milton Hershey School is a cost-free, private, coeducational home and school for children from families of low income, limited resources, and social need. (Source: mhs-pa.org)

Without children of their own, Milton and his wife Kitty established a home and school for orphaned boys to whom Milton gave his entire personal fortune in 1918. Today, a portion of Hershey product profits are used for the school which is funded by the Milton Hershey School Trust ensuring each child receives free education, housing, extracurricular and medical needs. The students are from low-income families and reside at the school year round. The average total income of a family of 3.9 enrolling in August 2008-09 was $14,859. (mhs-pa.org)

Dinner at a Student Home

In previous visits to Hershey I did have a chance to visit the school, but on this particular trip the bloggers in attendance had the unique opportunity to interact with students and their houseparents in their on-campus homes. These 8 and 9 year old girls were polite–introducing themselves at the door, well-mannered–waiting for adults to begin to eat at mealtime, and obviously happy– smiling and laughing during our entire visit. We were all so impressed with the houseparents, married couples often with children of their own, who serve as positive role models living with 10-15 students for 10 days with only 2 relief days. During dinner I spotted a post with “Social Skill #54: Learning How to Accept ‘No’” and learned that children are instructed every two weeks on a new social skill. Rewarded with merits, their incentive and discipline program was obviously well-designed, and when I asked, “What kind of training do houseparents receive?” the answer was “extensive.”

Milton Hershey School is every educators dream–an integrated program where social and academic skills are reinforced at home. Indeed the classrooms and homes address the same skills simultaneously, and it came as no surprise as I researched the school later that success stories include school presidents who were actually alumni of the school.

Milton Hershey School: Student Home

If you’re as moved by the mission of Milton Hershey School and would like to donate, you’re out of luck. Since the school is unable to accept private donations, you’ll have to purchase a Hershey bar instead to contribute to their cause. Speaking of chocolate, a visit to Hershey, PA would not be complete without a few Hershey Kisses and some Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups of which I ate plenty this week. Stay tuned for Part II of “Re-Discovering Hershey” later this week including cookie recipes directly from the Sweetest Place on Earth!

Disclosure: Thank you to The Hershey Company, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts and JSH&A Public Relations for the opportunity to visit Hershey for the Blogger Cookie Exchange Event.  Photos courtesy of mhs-pa.org. Read more about the blogger’s experience at Hershey by following #Hershey on Twitter.

Cool Tip: Visit theHersheyLegacy.com to learn more about Milton Hershey School including how you can help by sending a virtual gift and spreading the word about the Hershey Legacy or even referring a child in need to the school.

Cool Giveaway: Today is the last day to enter our Hershey’s Cookie Exchange Giveaway for a prize pack of Hershey baking products. Head over there to enter.