Andre Sumler – Senior Spotlight
This post originally appeared on MHSKids.org
When Andre Sumler enrolled at Milton Hershey School as a freshman, he was already passionate about music.
“My entire childhood was music,” said Andre. “If I wasn’t singing, I was playing the drums. I learned [to play] from watching other drummers and from YouTube.”
A few months after arriving at MHS, Andre walked into the band room, found a drum set, and started to play.
“The band director came in and caught me playing,” Andre explained. “I hadn’t played in three months and I was excited. He talked me into playing in the jazz band and after that, so many other doors opened for me.”
Andre found opportunities to play with the school’s praise band, the guitar ensemble, gospel choir, and at local churches.
As a senior, Andre expanded his music skills when he played alongside the 2016 Alumnus of the Year Johnny Mills ’75 during the Homecoming halftime performance. Mills, a renowned musician, discovered his gift for music while at MHS and now lives in Nashville, Tennessee and records with well-known musicians.
“We collaborated over the phone and worked together on techniques I used during my audition,” he said. “With him being there, supporting me, being my dictionary for drumming, it helped. He was one of the primary reasons I felt so confident walking into that audition.”
Andre was accepted to Berklee College of Music. After graduation, he wants to tour the world and play the drums, piano or organ and record music. After that, he wants to teach music and possibly return to MHS.
For MHS students interested in the arts, MHS offers opportunities at each grade level through the Visual and Performing Arts program. They can get involved with band, choir, dance, drama, and art programs, all at no cost to the students or their families.
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For more than 100 years, Milton Hershey School has helped children to realize their full potential by offering a top-notch education to students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade from income-eligible families.
Milton Hershey School is a cost-free, private, coeducational school in Hershey, PA. The school offers state-of-the-art facilities, advanced technology and hundreds of extracurricular activities.
Milton and Catherine Hershey established the school in 1909 to provide a positive, structured home life year-round to help children gain the skills to be successful in all aspects of life.
Today, more than 2,000 students from across the U.S. attend Milton Hershey School. They have access to unique award-winning programs, experienced teachers and caring adult mentors.
Curriculum includes rigorous academics with opportunities for hands-on learning, after-school homework hours and tutoring assistance. Because class sizes are small, students get individualized attention and the opportunity to explore their own interests and abilities.
Milton Hershey School believes all children deserve the very best education regardless of their financial circumstances. A family’s income should not determine a child’s outcome.
Learn more about admission to MHS.