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LNP | LancasterOnline: ‘Grounded in gratitude’: Milton Hershey president reflects on expansion into early childhood education

In a March 1, 2026, feature by LNP | LancasterOnline, Milton Hershey School (MHS) and Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning (CHS) President Pete Gurt reflected on his lifelong connection to the school and his leadership in expanding education through CHS.

President Gurt shared how his own experiences as a student shaped his approach, the importance of serving children from six weeks to age 5, and the significance of opening new centers in Lancaster County to honor Milton and Catherine Hershey’s legacy.

Catherine Hershey Schools

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning are subsidiaries of Milton Hershey School and will be staffed and operated independently of the Milton Hershey School core model.

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

© 2025 Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning