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Homecoming 2025

From reconnecting with old friends and swapping legendary MHS stories to cheering on our teams and celebrating our rich traditions, Homecoming Weekend is where Spartan spirit shines brightest. This year, Milton Hershey School and the MHS Alumni Association (MHSAA) are teaming up to bring you the best of the classics along with fresh, can’t-miss experiences.

It’s more than just a weekend—it’s a chance to live out Our Pledge: to honor where we’ve come from, connect with our school family, and make a difference for the students who will carry our legacy forward. Come ready to laugh, cheer, reminisce, and create new memories you’ll treasure forever.

Your Alma Mater is calling—will you answer?

Registration Required to Attend Most Events

Registering for events in advance assists us in planning and cost management. Many events require that your MHS Alumni Association dues are paid and valid Sept. 1, 2025–Aug. 31, 2026.

You may also register by contacting MHSAA at 717.520.2045 or [email protected].

Schedule of Events

Thursday, October 23

Cuba in Hershey Lounge Party

Location: Dearden Alumni Campus, 109 McCorkel Rd., Hershey
Time: 6:30–10 p.m.

Join us for a relaxed evening with a chill vibe, cozy atmosphere, and great company in the Purcell Friendship Garden. The evening will feature live music by Cryptic Tymbal and games for prizes, including MHS memorabilia. Heavy hors d’oeuvres and beverage tickets are included with your admission. A separate cigar lounge will be available for those who wish to unwind—you’re welcome to bring your own cigars or purchase one from the on-site mobile cigar lounge. Proceeds benefit MHSAA’s impactful programs that benefit alumni in need.

Please bring a photo I.D. for age verification by the bartenders. Advance registration is required.

Ticket Prices: $30 ($40 at the door)
Milton S. Hershey Cigar Package add-on (includes a MHSAA leather cigar pouch with cigar cutter and one cigar): $50

To register, your MHSAA dues must be paid and valid Sept. 1, 2025 through Aug. 31, 2026

 

Friday, October 24

Homecoming Golf Tournament Check-In

Location: Deer Valley Golf Course, 101 Stoudt Rd., Hummelstown
Time: 7:00 a.m.

Get ready for an unforgettable day on the greens at the ultimate alumni golf experience! This exciting event is limited to 144 golfers and is open to alumni, honorary alumni, and their families and friends. The day kicks off with a shotgun start at 7:50 a.m., followed by a full slate of fun, food, and friendly competition. The registration fee includes continental breakfast, golf, cart, picnic luncheon, and prizes. New for 2025 will be a golf ball drop contest where you’ll have the chance to win exciting prizes as numbered balls rain down in a fun-filled twist on the game. Traditional golf prizes will be awarded, and additional on-course games and challenges will be available throughout the tournament.

Tee sponsorships are available for $50 for those who want to support the event and showcase their business or message.

Registration Fee: $80 per golfer ($85 at the door)
Tee Sponsorships: $50

For questions or special considerations, contact Nick Stone ’98 at 717.421.1998.

Homecoming Check-In

Location: Founders Hall, 801 Spartan Ln., Hershey
Time: 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Check in and pick up pre-ordered tickets for Homecoming events. Enjoy light refreshments and learn more about our Homecoming giveaway for alumni who update their information.

Visit the MHS Archives

Location: Kinderhaus, 635 Meadow Ln., Hershey
Time: 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Visit the MHS Heritage Center at Kinderhaus to see exhibits, films, and publications from the school’s archives. The Archives are searching for letters and photos of alumni from their time as students. Help add to our archive and learn how your personal Milt story helps to add a page to the legacy of MHS! If you would like to view archives from your time at the school, make an appointment by contacting MHS School History at 717.520.3152.

Tour MHS Scholastic Buildings

Location: Memorial Hall, Catherine Hall, and Fisher Hall
Time: 9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.

MHS students invite you to get an inside look at campus life during the school day! Join them on a 30-minute tour of their school buildings to learn more about how you can engage with them during the school year. Tours will be offered at Memorial Hall (Elementary Division), Catherine Hall (formerly Old Senior Hall and now our Middle Division), and Fisher Hall (formerly Senior Hall North and now one of our Senior Division buildings).

Please note: Alumni and their guests must present a valid driver’s license or passport at the main office of the school buildings to obtain a visitor’s pass. These tours do not visit specific classrooms. At Catherine Hall, please drive in front of the building and follow the road to the parking lot near the main entrance.

Explore the Founders Hall Visitors Center

Location: Founders Hall, 801 Spartan Ln., Hershey
Time: 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

The Founders Hall Visitors Center, located in the rotunda of this historic building, uses technology, video displays, and interactive elements to explain the life and legacy of our school’s founders Milton and Catherine Hershey, and highlight the ways their vision still impacts the school today.

Spartan Career Connections

Location: Founders Hall, 801 Spartan Ln., Hershey
Time: 12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.

Jumpstart your future at Spartan Career Connections! Hosted by Mary Pratt-Lauchle ’96, Zahraa Mouzon ’02, and Di’Andra Hickson ’08, this dynamic event, on Friday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 25, offers resume reviews, networking tips, and insider advice to help you land your next opportunity. An industry career readiness expert will be in attendance to offer career support. Additionally, explore job leads and career paths while connecting with the MHS community to discover work opportunities in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

MHSAA Picnic

Location: Deer Valley Golf Course, 101 Stoudt Rd., Hummelstown
Time: 12:30 p.m.

Not a golfer? No problem! All alumni, family, friends, MHS retirees, and MHS employees are invited to the MHSAA Picnic for food, fun, and fellowship. The mouthwatering menu will feature hamburgers, hot sausages, a condiment bar, fresh salad, baked beans, grilled peppers and onions, brownies, and non-alcoholic beverages. Plus, there will be classic lawn games, exciting raffles, and—brand-new for 2025—the thrilling golf ball drop, where you’ll have the chance to win fantastic prizes.

Ticket Price: $25 per person

Discover the Gertrude Gurt Family Center

Location: 719 Meadow Ln., Hershey
Time: 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.

Opened in 2022, the Gertrude Gurt Family Center was created for families of current MHS students to have a place to connect and engage on campus. The Center offers a welcoming atmosphere with private family rooms, an educational multi-purpose space, a styling station, and a self-serve café for families to enjoy. Alumni are invited to tour the Center and learn more about getting involved with the MHS Family Relations team to engage with parents/sponsors.

Spartan Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Location: Founders Hall Auditorium, 801 Spartan Ln., Hershey
Time: 2:15–3:15 p.m.

MHS created the Spartan Hall of Fame to recognize noteworthy accomplishments of the MHS family in the areas of athletics and visual and performing arts. Join us on Friday, Oct. 24, at 2:15 p.m. to honor our 2025 inductees who serve as an inspiration for current MHS students.

Honorary Member Chapter Induction

Location: Dearden House, 109 McCorkel Rd., Hershey
Time: 4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.

Please join us for a special reception honoring the newest inductees into our chapter as honorary members. This meaningful event celebrates individuals whose exceptional support and dedication have made a lasting impact on the MHS mission and our community. Enjoy an evening of recognition, connection, and appreciation as we welcome these distinguished honorees into our alumni family.

Invitation-Only MHSAA Donor Reception

Location: The Hershey Story Museum
Time: 5:00 p.m.

This invitation-only event is a chance for MHSAA Board Members to express their heartfelt gratitude to the organization’s generous donors. This reception is a celebration of their commitment and contributions, which continue to have a lasting impact on the lives of our alumni. Enjoy light refreshments, connect with fellow supporters, and hear inspiring stories of how your gift is making a difference.

Second Chance Prom – A Gatsby Affair

Location: Hershey Lodge, 325 University Dr., Hershey
Time: 8:00 p.m.–12:00 a.m.

Step into the elegance and extravagance of the Roaring 1920s for an unforgettable evening of glitz, glamour, and second chances. Did you miss your prom? Do you ever wish you could go back and do it differently? Now’s your chance to have the prom night you truly deserve! Strut down the red carpet, strike a pose for the paparazzi, and capture memories at our vintage photo booth. Dance the night away to beats by DJ Midnyte (Maurice Patterson-Terry ’13), and don’t miss your chance to be crowned Prom King or Queen!

Doors open at 8 p.m. Your admission includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and access to a cash bar.

Ticket Prices:
General Admission: $35
Lifetime Member*: $30
Young Alumni* (Classes 2020–2025): $15
Late Entry (after 10 p.m.): $15

*Lifetime Member and Young Alumni rates limited to 2 tickets per person
To register, your MHSAA dues must be paid and valid September 1, 2025 – August 31, 2026

Saturday, October 25

Homecoming Check-In

Location: Founders Hall, 801 Spartan Ln., Hershey
Time: 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Check in and pick up pre-ordered tickets for Homecoming events. Enjoy light refreshments and learn more about our Homecoming giveaway for alumni who update their information.

MHSAA Annual Business Meeting Breakfast

Location: Founders Hall Dining Room, 801 Spartan Ln., Hershey
Time: 9:00–10:30 a.m.

Get an inside scoop on the Milton Hershey School Alumni Association (MHSAA) and MHS. Join MHSAA leaders and MHS senior leadership for breakfast to learn about the Association’s business activities and upcoming plans for our school. This is your opportunity to ask questions and share ideas!

Experience Catherine Hershey School for Early Learning

Location: CHS Hershey, 150 Homestead Rd., Hershey
Time: 10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.

Join Chantal Rukundo-Karaara ’07, Catherine Hershey School for Early Learning, Harrisburg Assistant Director, as she shares the CHS experience! Explore CHS classrooms, see the unique spaces that honor the Hersheys’ legacy, and learn about a day-in-the-life of a CHS child and family. Registration is required for the experience, offered at 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, at CHS Hershey.

Step into the Heart of an Elementary Division Student Home

Location: Student Home Evergreen, 230 Harvest Ln., Hershey
Time: 10:00 a.m.–Noon

Join us for a warm and personal experience inside student home Evergreen, where alumni Nicholas ’04 and Yvonne Serrano ’04 will open their doors and hearts to share what life is like for our youngest Spartans. You’ll enjoy a guided tour of their vibrant student home, hear stories that bring the Elementary Division to life, and get a behind-the-scenes reminder of the nurturing environment that shapes our students’ daily lives. Whether you are reminiscing or discovering something new, this is a chance to reconnect with the MHS mission in a truly heartwarming way. Light MHS-style refreshments will be served, and meaningful conversations are encouraged!  Proceeds from this event will directly benefit MHS student programming.

Ticket price: $7 per person

Welcome Home at Dearden Alumni House

Location: Dearden Alumni Campus, 109 McCorkel Rd., Hershey
Time: 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Stop by the Dearden Alumni Campus, where you can relive cherished memories and reconnect with the past. Our campus offers a self-guided tour of the Dearden House Museum, featuring a nostalgic glimpse into student home life from the mid-to-late 1950s and 1960s. Explore a replica of Mr. Bill Dearden’s office, wander through the Camelot Room display, and enjoy our impressive collection of yearbooks dating back to 1935.

While you’re here, take a moment to stroll through the Friendship Garden, where the names of all graduates are lovingly engraved in stone. Don’t forget to capture a special moment with the MHS Ring sculpture. Light refreshments will be served, so come, relax, and reminisce with us.

Explore the Founders Hall Visitors Center

Location: Founders Hall, 801 Spartan Ln., Hershey
Time: 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

The Founders Hall Visitors Center, located in the rotunda of this historic building, uses technology, video displays, and interactive elements to explain the life and legacy of our school’s founders Milton and Catherine Hershey, and highlight the ways their vision still impacts the school today.

Spartan Career Connections

Location: Founders Hall, 801 Spartan Ln., Hershey
Time: 11:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

Jumpstart your future at Spartan Career Connections! Hosted by Mary Pratt-Lauchle ’96, Zahraa Mouzon ’02, and Di’Andra Hickson ’08, this dynamic event, on Friday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 25, offers resume reviews, networking tips, and insider advice to help you land your next opportunity. An industry career readiness expert will be in attendance to offer career support. Additionally, explore job leads and career paths while connecting with the MHS community to discover work opportunities in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Shop at MHS Project Market

Location: MHS Project Market, 260 Ivanhoe Ln., Hershey
Time: 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

On your way to the Homecoming Football Game, stop by the student-run MHS Project Market to shop a wide selection of campus-grown vegetables, herbs, and more. Additionally, student-made gifts and Spartan Ice Cream are available for sale. Please note that MHS Project Market is a cashless facility.

Homecoming Pre-Game Picnic

Location: MHS Ice Rink, 655 Brooke Dr., Hershey
Time: 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Join us at the MHS Ice Rink for a picnic before the Homecoming football game. There is no charge to attend this event!

Homecoming Football Game

Location: Henry Hershey Field, 635 Brooke Dr., Hershey
Time: 1:30 p.m.

Wear your Spartan gear and cheer on our student-athletes during the Homecoming football game vs. Susquehanna Township High School. The game begins at 1:30 p.m.

MHS Lifer Photo & Class Photos

Location: The Great American Hall, Hershey Lodge, 325 University Dr., Hershey
Time: 5:00 p.m.

Alumni enrolled at MHS during first grade or earlier are invited to gather for a group photo before the Homecoming Banquet. All reunion classes will also take photos. Please check in at the event registration desk by 5 p.m. and enter the Great American Hall.

Invitation-Only Circle of Honor Reception

Location: Cocoa Boardroom, Hershey Lodge, 325 University Dr., Hershey
Time: 5:00–6:30 p.m.

Raise a glass with us as we honor the outstanding achievements of our alumni award recipients. This elegant, invitation-only cocktail reception is a tribute to their dedication, leadership, and lasting impact on the MHS community. Join fellow alumni, friends, and supporters for an evening of celebration, connection, and inspiration as we recognize these remarkable individuals and their contributions.

MHS Annual Homecoming Banquet

Location: The Great American Hall, Hershey Lodge, 325 University Dr., Hershey
Time: 6:30–9:30 p.m.

Adults only. Attire for the banquet is MHS Sunday Best.

Get ready for an unforgettable evening celebrating Spartan pride and tradition at the Homecoming Banquet. We’ll shine a spotlight on our 2025 Alumni of the Year—James Hanawalt ’65 and John Hanawalt ’70—and hear inspiring words from MHS President Peter. G. Gurt ’85. The night will also include the exciting reveal of the MHSAA Homecoming Raffle winners.

Reminder: If you register for tickets, they can be picked up at Homecoming Check-In on Friday or Saturday at Founders Hall, or the banquet check-in area near the Great American Hall at Hershey Lodge, 4:30–6:30 p.m. on Saturday. No one will be admitted without a ticket; doors will close at 6:30 p.m.

Ticket policies:
• Limit of two tickets per MHSAA member.
• Membership must be valid to receive tickets, no additional charge.
• You must register for tickets in advance; they are not automatically provided.

Following the Homecoming Banquet:
Enjoy lively post-banquet receptions, including class reunion celebrations and an honorary member welcome. Room assignments will be posted at the MHS Homecoming Check-In area near the banquet room and on electronic signs at Hershey Lodge.

Sunday, October 26

Graveside Memorial Service

Location: Hershey Cemetery, one mile north of Hershey on Route 743 (Laudermilch Road)
Time: 9:00 a.m.

Come together with fellow Spartans as we honor the remarkable legacy of Milton and Catherine Hershey at the Graveside Memorial Service. The Service will be held at our founders’ beautiful, newly redesigned gravesite in Hershey Cemetery. This heartfelt gathering will feature uplifting scripture, inspiring music, and meaningful words from special guest speakers—a chance to reflect, remember, and celebrate the vision that built our home and school.

Alumni Chapel Service

Location: Founders Hall, 801 Spartan Ln., Hershey
Time: 10:00 a.m.

Please join us for the Chapel Service in the Founders Hall Auditorium. Seating is open but limited.

Memorial Grove Service

Location: Alumni Memorial Grove
Time: 11:15 a.m.

MHSAA will host its annual service to memorialize alumni who have passed away since the last Memorial Grove Service gathering. All members of the Association, and their guests, are encouraged to join us for this solemn and moving remembrance.

Sunday Lunch

Location: Founders Hall Dining Room
Time: 12:30 p.m.–1:30 p.m.

After the Memorial Grove Service, join us for lunch in Founders Hall, which concludes Homecoming Weekend. Proceeds benefit the chapters of MHSAA and the MHS Student Government Association.

Ticket prices:
• $10 per adult
• $5 per child ages 3–12

Milton Hershey School provides reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities at special events sponsored by the School. Questions about the accessibility of programs and events, and requests for accommodations at School-sponsored events, should be directed to Central Monitoring 717-520-2647 at least 72 hours (3 days) prior to the event. Please note that the School does not provide wheelchairs or other mobility devices.

Celebrating Our Pledge

The 2025–26 school year marks the centennial of George Copenhaver’s writing of the School Pledge—a milestone that honors a century-long legacy of values passed down through generations. The MHS School Pledge serves as a guiding light for our community, inspiring us to keep our standards high and help others to do likewise. As our students and staff recommit ourselves to the expectations outlined in Our Pledge, we invite you to share your commitment during Homecoming Weekend.

Watch highlights from the 2025 Opening of School Assembly where we revealed our school year theme to the MHS community.

MHS Campus

Campus Locations

Find links and addresses to many popular MHS locations.

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View Photos of Homecoming 2024

See photos from events that took place over Homecoming Weekend in 2024.

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Get Involved

By getting involved and assisting current students and recent graduates, your efforts will support the mission of our founders for years to come.

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