Dreams Realized: Andrew’s Story
As Milton Hershey School (MHS) senior Andrew Flores prepares to graduate on June 14, he is already focused on the next chapter of his journey: helping children reach their full potential.
For the past two years, Andrew has been interning at Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning (CHS), a subsidiary of MHS serving children from six weeks to age 5 with all costs covered for qualifying families.
Andrew made CHS history by becoming the first intern to earn a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential while still in high school. The achievement is one he hopes will inspire other students to pursue opportunities that may seem out of reach.
Discovering a path to help others
Andrew enrolled at MHS in June 2018 as a fifth-grade student. He chose to follow the Education and Human Services Career Pathway, where he has developed the skills and experience needed to pursue a career focused on supporting children and families.
In the summer of 2024, Andrew began his internship with CHS. The opportunity appealed to him because it provided a closer look at the role early childhood education (ECE) plays in helping families overcome barriers to success.
His interest in ECE is rooted in personal experience.
“Growing up, I had a niece who was unable to attend day care because money was an issue,” Andrew said. “This was a chance for me to understand what goes into the education system and how I can help children like her in the future.”
Over the past two years, Andrew has worked alongside CHS educators, supported children’s learning and development, and gained firsthand experience in the field he hopes to enter after graduation.
Learning from children
At CHS, Andrew discovered that working with young children requires flexibility, patience, and a willingness to see each child as an individual.
“I have learned that even if children come from a similar upbringing, no child is the same,” he said. “It’s important to approach each child differently and not use the same approach with everyone.”
Through daily interactions in the classroom, Andrew saw how meaningful relationships and intentional support can help children grow socially, emotionally, and physically.
“Children are ever-growing,” he said. “There is so much you can do for a child socially, physically, and emotionally by just interacting with them and giving them a space to be cared for.”
Those experiences reinforced his belief that early childhood educators can make a lasting impact during the most important years of a child’s development.
The internship also provided valuable professional experience and mentorship opportunities that helped prepare him for life after high school. So far, 33 MHS students have completed their internships at CHS.
“The opportunities and work experiences at MHS have given me more fieldwork experience and ways to grow within my own professional development,” Andrew said. “I have gained mentors from all of them who have helped me learn who I am.”
A milestone achievement
While gaining classroom experience, Andrew also pursued his CDA, a nationally recognized credential that prepares early childhood educators to support children’s learning and development.
Earning the credential while still in high school required commitment, dedication, and a willingness to take on new challenges.
For Andrew, the accomplishment represented what can happen when students are provided with meaningful opportunities and support systems that encourage them to dream bigger.
“For me to be the first MHS student to earn a CDA while in high school makes me believe that anything is possible,” he said. “While this is the first CDA program, we’re trailblazers and this is an opportunity for everyone to learn from. No matter how daunting the task can be, it can always be accomplished.”
The experience has strengthened his confidence and reaffirmed his desire to continue working with children in the future.
It has also helped pave the way for future MHS students who may choose to pursue the CDA credential through similar opportunities.
Looking ahead
As graduation day draws near, Andrew is looking forward to celebrating the milestone with the people who helped him along the way.
“When I walk across the stage, I’ll remember all the mentors who have helped me and what I am now able to do with the education I’ve been given,” he said.
The moment will also serve as a reminder of the children whose lives he hopes to impact throughout his career.
“If I am able to walk across the stage, it gives me faith that the kids that I have taught at Catherine Hershey School will be able to do the same,” he said.
After graduation, Andrew plans to attend Temple University and study legal studies with the goal of one day working in educational law. At the same time, he hopes to maintain the connection he has built with CHS over the past two years.
“CHS started as a work experience, but it has also felt like home,” Andrew said. “I hope to work with them in the future.”
He plans to return during college breaks as a Seasonal Assistant and welcomes the opportunity to continue serving children and families through CHS.
As Andrew prepares for graduation and the next phase of his educational journey, he carries with him the lessons, relationships, and experiences that helped shape his future. His story is a reminder that with opportunity, mentorship, and determination, dreams can become reality and inspire others along the way.
Dreams Realized series: As the 2025-26 CHS school-year theme “One Team, One Dream” was launched in August, stories will be shared throughout the year showcasing members of the CHS community following—and realizing—their dreams. Vol. 1: Dil’s Story, Vol. 2: Lily’s Story, Vol. 3: Luna’s Story, Vol. 4: Xavier’s Story, Vol. 5: Hilary’s Story, Vol. 6: Kayla’s Story, Vol. 7: Natalie’s Story, Vol. 8: Emily’s Story, Vol. 9: Abby’s Story, Vol. 10: Madi’s Story, Vol. 11: Andrew’s Story.
