2025 Alumni Achievement Awards
Alumni Award Recipients
Soloman Melson '98 - Career Accomplishment
Solomon is a visionary leader, licensed clinical social worker, and dedicated change agent with over 18 years of experience advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion across government, education, and mental health sectors. He has built a career dedicated to public service and social justice—shaping communities, policies, and lives for the better. As the founder and CEO of Universal Transitions and Consulting, LLC, Solomon provides culturally inclusive, client-focused, and recovery-centered services, specializing in mental health, substance use, and interpersonal conflict resolution. His impact extends to Fairfax County Government, where he serves as an educational specialist for Fairfax County Public Schools.
Dr. Di'Andra Hickson '08 - Academic Excellence
After earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice, Di’Andra pursued her doctorate. While balancing school, family, and a professional career, Di’Andra took on the added responsibility of becoming a surrogate for a family struggling with infertility. Through all this, she earned her doctorate in criminal justice from Pennsylvania Western University with academic distinction for achieving a 4.0 GPA. She is a lieutenant for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, where she has worked for nearly a decade. In addition to her academic accomplishments, she finds time to give back to MHS students—participating in various career engagement opportunities and sharing her journey with new enrollees.
Garry Gilliam '09 - Community Service
Garry is founder and CEO of The Bridge—a real estate development company that transforms properties and land into vibrant eco-villages. Garry has hosted several free community events through The Bridge to foster inclusivity, support, and empowerment for Harrisburg’s youth and families. In addition, Garry is a Central Pennsylvania Food Bank board member. He works closely with young athletes, especially those from Pennsylvania and Milton Hershey School. He hosts podcasts and is a regular keynote speaker, all to create better opportunities for youth.
Senior Award Recipients
Steven Dao '25 - Career Accomplishment
Steven has maintained Distinguished Honor Roll status throughout high school and has earned numerous awards and recognitions for his extracurricular activities. Most notably, in the summer of 2024, he competed in the National Future Business Leaders of America competition in Orlando, Florida. He placed ninth overall for Spreadsheet applications. Steven is driven and motivated for success after MHS! He has enrolled in numerous AP and college courses and will graduate in June with 15 college credits. He plans to pursue a business management degree, a passion he solidified after an internship with The Hershey Company.
Thooria Olaoye '25 - Academic Excellence
Thooria is a driven and accomplished MHS student committed to academic excellence. She engages in challenging Advanced Placement courses, actively participates in the MHS Visual and Performing Arts program, and is a student ambassador. She is passionate about fostering sustainability and cultural awareness, and through the MHS International Learning Experiences program, she participated in an education and sustainability conference in Europe. She is compassionate, reliable, and supportive of her peers. Her versatile capabilities and positive spirit make her a source of inspiration and a standout leader. After graduating from MHS, she plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology to become a psychologist.
Takuma Sugita '25 - Community Service
Takuma is a dedicated and well-rounded student whose active involvement in Athletics, Visual and Performing Arts, and academics highlights his technical proficiency, leadership, and ability to collaborate with his peers. He has a community-oriented mindset—as demonstrated through his impactful volunteer work at CommunityAid and The Bridge. As an MHS student worker, he contributed to several nonprofits across Central Pennsylvania through classroom assistance and environmental clean-up efforts. Plus, Takuma combined his love of art and passion for community service last year when he donated a piece to the Hershey Area Rotary Club’s Art Auction—which benefits the Hershey community.