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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 4, 2019 12:00 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Thomas L. Mehaffie, III |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Resolution Recognizing the 110th Anniversary of the Milton Hershey School |
Colleagues, Milton Hershey School began as a dream and vision shared by Hershey Chocolate Company founder Milton S. Hershey and his wife, Catherine. Unable to have children of their own, the Hersheys used their wealth to create a home and school for orphaned boys. On Nov. 15, 1909, the Hersheys signed the Deed of Trust establishing the Hershey Industrial School (renamed Milton Hershey School in 1951). Mr. Hershey shared that he wanted to give children “real homes, real comforts, education, and training” so they could lead fulfilling and productive lives. The first 10 students arrived at the school in 1910 where they were met with a stable home life and a rigorous combination of agricultural, vocational, and academic learning. Even from the beginning, the school’s model was centered on a whole-child approach that included providing children with an excellent education and career and technical training, as well as health and wellness resources that would help students overcome the specific challenges children from poverty face. In 1918, following his wife’s death, Mr. Hershey donated nearly his entire personal fortune to establish the Milton Hershey School Trust to ensure the school would serve children in financial and social need in perpetuity—as he and Catherine intended. His generosity was inspired by his life experiences, including his childhood as a poor boy, his business failures on his journey to success, and he and Catherine’s inability to have children. Mr. Hershey’s emphasis on career and technical training inspired the school’s award-winning Career and Technical Education program which prepares students for 21st century careers. He remained closely involved with the school and its students until his death at the age of 88 on Oct. 13, 1945. Over time, the school has evolved its curriculum and grown to serve more students with the Hersheys’ vision as its compass. Their legacy lives on in the thousands of students and nearly 11,000 alumni who experienced life-changing opportunities thanks to the Hersheys’ generosity. Today, MHS thrives as a cost-free, private, coeducational home and school for more than 2,100 pre-K through 12th-grade boys and girls from low-income families across the country. The school offers a positive, structured home life year-round, and educational opportunities focused on building character and providing children with the skills necessary to be successful in all aspects of life. On Nov. 15, 2019, MHS marked its 110-year anniversary as a home and school helping young people break the cycle of poverty. For 110 years and counting, MHS has been a place where students’ potential is met with life-changing opportunity. The school’s vast experience as one of the world’s best private, residential schools has earned it the honor of being a leader in the field of education. Please join me in cosponsoring this resolution. Thank you. |
Introduced as HR650