Kole Kramer and Jerusha George, both Hershey High School (HHS) seniors, have been named HHS November Students of the Month. George and Kramer were chosen due to their academic achievement and involvement in extracurricular activities.  

George leads by example, holding leadership positions in multiple clubs at HHS. She is the administrative president of Youth and Government, the Vice President of Key Club, the Secretary of National Honor Society, a Co-Director for the Walk for Clean Water, and a Link Crew Leader. 

George is especially proud of her work in Key Club, specifically, her involvement in the Walk for Clean Water. Being involved in the club since freshman year, George has climbed her way up to becoming one of the head leaders of the club beginning her junior year. George said the preparation for the Walk was stressful, but that the end result was a success. “I was just so happy to be with the central PA community as we took a stand against the global water crisis,” George said, “All the hours of hard work became worth it when we found out that we could provide two communities in the Kingdom of eSwatini with clean water for life.” The Kingdom of eSwatini, previously known as Swaziland, is a small monarchy located in southern Africa. 

George said her background sets her apart from others. She was born in India and lived in Oman, a country in the Middle East, for some of her childhood. She and her family moved to the United States and lived in New York, Texas, and Kentucky before settling in Hershey. “These unique experiences being an immigrant have really shaped my perspective of the world,” George said. 

George plans to attend a four-year institution and study either neuroscience, psychology, or economics. She has decided, however, that she would like to take the pre-medical track and eventually attend medical school. George said she believes it is important to “be pragmatic in how we face today’s medical problems, I think it’s really important to take an interdisciplinary approach, taking into account factors beyond just the traditional natural sciences.” 

Kramer, the male recipient of the November Student of the Month award, is an active member of Key Club, HCYA, Student Council, Link Crew, and is Vice President of National Honor Society and the Judicial Co-President in Youth and Government. 

Kole is very involved in Youth and Government. This past summer, Kramer was selected to represent Pennsylvania at the National Judicial Competition (NJS) in Chicago for Youth and Government. “Competing at NJC had been one of my biggest goals since my freshman year, and I was so happy that I got to go with Cana Fasick, who has been my partner in YAG for the longest time,” Kramer said.

Kramer plans to attend college and study public policy and eventually work for a nonprofit or non-governmental program as a consultant or program manager. He hopes to work to help fix social issues and make an impact in the lives of others. 

Kramer credits his optimism for his success thus far. “I have always strived to see the bright side of things and to focus on the positives in my life rather than the things that can tear me down,” Kramer said, “That has always helped me get through struggles in my life.”