What I learned at Milton Hershey School

 I learned to be polite, to clean my room and keep it neat, I learned to do my chores and to do them right.  I can remember hearing often the phrase,

“There are 3 ways to do things.  Your way, My way, and the Milton Hershey way.”  

I learned the importance and value of being honest and respectful.  I learned to take personal responsibility for my actions and to take pride in the young men I was and find hope in the man I would become.  I learned that people were the same,  it was there circumstance that differed.

I learned that it’s true, there are people worse off then me.  I learned not to wallow in self-pity.  I learned I needed to be tough enough to brave a great big world alone one day.  I learned to know the difference between toughness and stubbornness.  I learned too that kindness was a virtue and that one day I would repay the one that was done for me.

I learned that hard work was a good thing and that a job done well was a job well done.  I learned that there were people in the world for whom giving was more important than getting.  I learned that I may not be able to change my past but I am the determiner of my future.

I learned no matter where I go I will be able to say I am a Milton Hershey Man and that only a select few will be lucky enough to really know what that means.  I learned that even in my loneliest moments, I have a family, born of similar circumstance, raised in the same tradition, living a life of similar values.  Brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, teachers, counselors, food service workers, clothing supply room workers, janitors, landscapers, bus drivers, all of them part and parcel of my Milton Hershey experience.  Each of them a member of a very select family…my family.

What I learned at Milton Hershey School still lives in me today and it is a legacy that I have passed on to my children. I trust it will be a legacy they pass to theirs as well. Proving that Milton Hershey School truly is the gift that keeps on giving.

My Story

I will tell you my story here. I encourage anyone who has attended Milton Hershey School, graduate or not, to post your story as a comment as well.

SO THIS IS MY STORY

My father, Ralph Clinton Chappell (I love saying the name), died 5 months before my twin brother and I were born. My mother, Zenia, a gracious soul, was left to prepare for our impending birth, burial of a spouse and finish raising 3 other children. I am grateful she was able and willing to be there for us but I must say, I don’t envy her. Her task was monumental and her shoulders, while capable, bore witness to the load that had been placed upon them.

In the small corner of the world that was Mentor, Ohio in 1963, there lived a family, broken, but still a family. A mother, struggling to raise four sons and 2 daughters as I understand it, wondered how she would provide food and shelter for them all and a good fatherly mentor for the boys.

Mrs. Miller eventually realized she needed to do something different, to begin to look for alternatives that would provide safe haven for all of them even if they had to be apart. She had heard of a school in central Pennsylvania that took in boys from families with one or both of their parents deceased and provided food, clothing, shelter a good education and a moral upbringing by “Live-in” couples whose only mission was to see these boys grow into successful young men. Her boys were enrolled in Milton Hershey School and, for the rest of the world, that was that. The previous events would become unimportant except to them…….and a couple of young men…and their mother.

Finding Milton Hershey

I don’t know how or when or why, but sometime after their enrollment my mother got a message that would set in motion a similar set of wheels.  I remember riding in the car on our way to do grocery shopping.  Well,  my mother was doing the grocery shopping. We were going to the Grey Discount Drug to get the latest copy of the batman book and some candy.  Mom asked in that worried wondering tone she would get how we would feel if we went to live away from home.   She explained that she could come visit us but we would live their and go to school.  Not really thinking anything of it we both chimed in “sure” and that was that.  She did the grocery shopping. We got the Batman book. Nothing more was said.  Several months later we appeared at the school for interviews and a tour and we went home.  We went on with our lives while my mother waited for any word from Milton Hershey School.

Milton Hershey School

August 1st 1967 for me is a day that would live on in infamy for me anyway.  Early that morning we arrived back Milton Hershey to meet our Houseparents and enter the school officially.  I can’t lie to you.  As a 10 yr old I had no idea what was happening or why. I did what I was told, went where I was told and that was it. 

 Somewhere in the process we must have said good-bye to my mother although I don’t remember it.  we went and got our clothes, met our houseparents and settled in in our new home.

 In explaining the impact Milton Hershey had on me I often finish with this:

 I may not be all the man I could be, but I am certainly twice the man I would of been.     

That’s my story. A bit long-winded but its my story. 

Hopefully others who have attended Milton Hershey School will share their experience in comments to this post. I think you’ll find that it can be a place of hope when you think you have none.

Making a Difference in the Life of a Child

At Milton Hershey School, we believe that all students can be successful. We know that in order to be happy, safe, and productive, students need guidance and support in all parts of their lives. The excellent education at Milton Hershey School starts with dedicated teachers who care about each student’s learning experience. Classes are small – an average of 15 students for each teacher, so each student gets individual attention and support. Students live in large, comfortable homes with 10 to 14 students in their own age group. A pair of married houseparents oversee each home, providing the structure that children need and taking an active interest in their development. We are dedicated to helping our students lead productive and fulfilling lives.

This information was taken from the pages of http://www.mhs-pa.org. I have provided a link the website.

Who We Are

Milton Hershey School is a caring community that opens new doors for children whose families could not otherwise afford it.

Some Facts

• The School is located in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
• The campus is monitored by 24-hour security staff.
• About 1,500 students in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12 currently attend the School.
• 40% of our students have a brother or sister at the School.
• There is an equal number of boys and girls.
• Milton Hershey School programs are year-round.

Student Home Life: The Heart of Guidance & Support

Our students live at the School and our program is year-round. So the student home and houseparents are at the core of each child’s stability and safety while they are here. Each child is cared for by a married houseparent couple who have child-care experience. Although houseparents provide guidance, support, and discipline, parents have lots of contact with their children, through phone calls, e-mail, and visits. Houseparents, teachers, and others all work together to keep you informed and in touch with your child. It’s a team effort and you will play a key role.

• Student homes are large homes with comfortable common areas for eating, doing homework, and relaxing.
• Ten to 14 students of the same gender and about the same age live in each home.
• Each child shares a bedroom with one or two other children.
• Students are responsible for chores such as vacuuming, cleaning the kitchen, mowing the grass, doing laundry, and helping with cooking.

School Life: An Environment for Excellence

At Milton Hershey School, students live and learn in small groups with other children their own age. There are three divisions: Elementary for grades pre-Kindergarten through 4, Middle for grades 5-8, and Senior for grades 9-12. Our academic program is designed to prepare each student for further education, the world of work, and personal excellence. The curriculum includes math, language arts, social studies, science, career/technical education, art, music, performing arts, family and consumer science, technology training, spiritual education, character development, and healthy lifestyles.

• We believe that personal attention and good teacher relationships are central to learning. Classes are small and learning assistance is available for students having difficulty with school work.
• Older students have more flexibility to shape their curriculum. High school students often participate in co-ops and internships to explore career opportunities.
• We believe that all students should learn a trade as well as prepare for further education. High school students learn about different career pathways, such as automotive technology, health occupations, graphic communication technologies, computer-aided drafting & design (CADD), construction trades, computer information systems, culinary arts, video production, agriculture & natural resources, and business careers and technologies.

Activities: Opportunities for Growth

At Milton Hershey School, activities are more than an extra. Students here enjoy a variety of activities that help them explore their talents and interests, build leadership and character, and make friends.

• 12 varsity athletic teams
• 6 choral groups and 20 different musical instrument choices
  Animal clubs and 4H
• Theater productions
• Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and service organizations
• Internships and part-time jobs at local businesses (for high school students)
• Ice skating, swimming, biking, ice hockey, dance, and more

The Future: Where our students go after MHS

Our main goal for all of our students is that they leave the School well-prepared to enter society as productive citizens. We want all of our graduates to be good students, but we also want them to be good people, good employees, and responsible members of their communities. Our graduates continue to reflect this ethic and make us proud.

• Over 90% of Milton Hershey School graduates plan to continue their education at a two- or four-year college or trade school.
• Students may earn Milton Hershey School scholarship credits during high school to cover most of the tuition, fees, and room and board at public universities or trade schools.
• As MHS students, members of the class of 2005 could earn up to $62,500 to continue their education after graduation.
• Career counselors provide continuing support and guidance to young alumni after they graduate.

Our graduates make their mark. Milton Hershey School alumni can be found in the top ranks of business, industry, media, science and technology, and many other exciting career fields.

This information was taken from the pages of http://www.mhs-pa.org. I have provided a link the website.