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Building Leaders at Milton Hershey School

Milton Hershey School (MHS) is providing a transformative experience for its students through an innovative college-level summer course. More than 20 high school students, preparing for their junior and senior years, are participating in a six-week program focused on Theories of Leadership. This course is a collaborative effort with the University of Pittsburgh’s College in High School Program and aims to instill essential leadership qualities in the students.

The main objective of the course is to empower students to become intentional, authentic, and resilient leaders. By fostering self-awareness and a growth mindset, the program encourages students to develop the necessary skills to inspire and empower others while acting with integrity. Importantly, it emphasizes that leadership can be cultivated through effort, reflection, and purposeful action, rather than being an inherent talent.

Under the proficient guidance of John Karavage, a social studies teacher at MHS, students engage in college-level readings and partake in deep reflection exercises. They’re encouraged to connect course materials with their personal lives and leadership journeys. Throughout the course, students face various challenges designed to push them out of their comfort zones. They come to understand discomfort as a crucial component of learning and view challenges as vital opportunities for personal growth.

John Karavage expressed the class’s philosophy, stating, "True leadership development arises from confronting challenges head-on, engaging in honest reflection, and continuously striving for self-improvement." The course explores rich concepts such as servant leadership, fulfilling roles during adversity, and developing collective grit within their teams.

Beyond classroom learning, the course includes enriching off-campus activities that extend the students' experiences. Participants have attended a Leadership Program at the Lincoln Leadership Institute in Gettysburg, toured the White House and U.S. Capitol, and engaged in a roundtable discussion with Dr. Angela Duckworth, the author of the influential text Grit: The Power and Passion of Perseverance, a required reading for the course.

For students, like senior Eden Newman, the course has far surpassed initial expectations. Having always been inclined toward leadership roles inside and outside of school, Newman found the course environment to be highly conducive to growth and development. "The positive atmosphere allowed me to shift from a fixed mindset to a more expansive perspective," she shared. The course helped her discover her passions and has motivated her to take significant strides toward becoming a capable leader.

Karavage has noted significant engagement from his students. "Rather than simply completing coursework, students are diving deeper into the subject matter, taking feedback seriously, and even reassessing their own perspectives on leadership," he remarked. The development witnesses within them is remarkable, as they lock in critical ideas and work diligently to apply their learning in a meaningful manner.

Successfully completing the course allows enrolled students to earn three credits from the University of Pittsburgh, adding valuable academic qualifications to their resumé as they progress in their educational journeys.

About Milton Hershey School

Milton Hershey School is renowned as one of the best private schools globally, where eligible students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade receive an outstanding educational experience—all tuition costs covered. For more information about the school and its programs, visit mhskids.org.