fbpx
Huntsburg Campus Fundraises for Geauga Hunger Task Force, Providing Over 1,000 Meals

Huntsburg Campus Fundraises for Geauga Hunger Task Force, Providing Over 1,000 Meals

Dec 15, 2025 | Featured Posts, School News | 0 comments


Students and staff exceed fundraising goal to fight food insecurity in Geauga County through a creative November challenge.

Students and staff at Hershey Montessori School’s Huntsburg Campus came together throughout November to raise funds for the Geauga County Hunger Task Force, and their efforts paid off in a big way. What began as a goal to raise $300 turned into a remarkable achievement—they raised $608, which is enough to provide more than 1,000 meals for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity in Geauga County.

 

 

 

A Creative Fundraising Challenge

The fundraiser was part of a month-long campaign to raise awareness about hunger in the community. Some staff members added a fun twist by pledging not to shave during November and agreeing to a playful challenge. They agreed to subjecting themselves to a pie in the face if they lost a point contest. Points were earned through pennies and bills, while nickels, dimes, and quarters subtracted points—making the competition lively and engaging!

 

Impact Beyond the Classroom

“While a contest may name a winner, the real victory is found in supporting the dignity and well-being of those who will receive meals,” said Diana Le Sieur, Interim Head of School and Admissions Director.

Every dollar raised provides two meals to the more than 10,000 people in Geauga County who face food insecurity.

Last week, students and staff proudly handed a check for $608 to Sue Juhasz, Director of the Geauga Hunger Task Force. “This far exceeded our $300 goal,” said the Huntsburg team. “We are thrilled to make a difference and grateful to everyone who contributed.”

Hershey Montessori School thanks all students, families, and staff who participated and supported this important cause. Together, we proved that small acts of kindness can create a big impact.

 

Remembering Michael Bagiackas: A Foundational Guide for Hershey Montessori

Remembering Michael Bagiackas: A Foundational Guide for Hershey Montessori

Oct 30, 2025 | Featured Posts, School News | 2 comments

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Michael Bagiackas. Michael was not only a beloved Montessori guide but also Hershey Montessori’s first principal, whose vision and dedication laid the foundation for our school.

From 1983 to 1995, Michael served as Teaching Principal, guiding students and families with wisdom, warmth, and an unwavering commitment to Montessori principles. He taught early and upper elementary, inspiring countless children while also leading the way in expanding our programs. Under his leadership, the school bought land and built the first phase of the Concord campus. The program by then had grown beyond its early beginnings by adding birth-to-three programs and the elementary classrooms that continue to thrive today.

Michael’s influence extended far beyond the classroom. He was a mentor to parents and educators alike, encouraging many to deepen their understanding of Montessori education. His passion for learning and his gentle, thoughtful approach left an indelible mark on our community.

Debbie Guren, Hershey board member, philanthropist, and long-time supporter, recalls:
“Michael taught all three of my children. He was a phenomenal guide who inspired me to learn more about Montessori. He helped grow our little school by adding elementary and birth-to-three programs. In 2013, I ran into him at the Montessori Congress in Portland, and it was like no time had passed—his warmth and passion for Montessori were as strong as ever.”

Others remember Michael’s quiet humor and his ability to make every child feel seen. He had a gift for turning everyday moments into lessons of independence and wonder. Alumni often share stories of Michael sitting cross-legged on the floor, listening intently to a child’s discovery, or guiding a group through a hands-on science experiment with contagious enthusiasm.

Michael’s leadership was visionary. At a time when Montessori education was still finding its footing in Northeast Ohio, he championed growth with courage and creativity. Under his guidance, Hershey Montessori expanded beyond its early beginnings, laying the foundation for the thriving community we know today.

Michael is survived by his wife of 45 years, Kaemaple Cotter; his children Maya May Holmes (and husband Brian), Ananda (and partner Jonathan DeVilbiss), and Emrys; his grandson Dylan Haviland; his siblings Claudia, Jean, Kat, and Thomas; and several generations of extended family.

Michael’s legacy lives on in the hearts of those he taught and the programs he helped build. We invite alumni and friends to share their memories and reflections. Your stories will help us honor Michael’s life and celebrate the enduring impact of his work.

A gathering of remembrance will be held at the Plainfield Opera House in Plainfield, Vermont, on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at noon. All are welcome. More information can be found here.

 

Celebrating 25 Years of Innovation: Hershey Montessori Huntsburg Campus Marks Milestone Anniversary

Celebrating 25 Years of Innovation: Hershey Montessori Huntsburg Campus Marks Milestone Anniversary

Oct 6, 2025 | Featured Posts, School News | 0 comments

HUNTSBURG, OH — Nestled among the wooded acres of Geauga County, Hershey Montessori School’s Huntsburg Campus is celebrating a remarkable milestone: 25 years of pioneering adolescent education rooted in the Montessori philosophy. Since its founding in 2000, the campus has grown into a globally recognized model for experiential learning, sustainability, and community-minded, project-based education.

A Vision Realized
The Huntsburg Campus was the first in the world to fully implement Dr. Maria Montessori’s vision for adolescent education. Built on 97 acres of farmland and forest, the campus integrates academics with purposeful work, including farming, entrepreneurship, and community engagement. Students aged 12 to 18 live and learn in a setting designed to foster independence, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving.

“Twenty-five years ago, we planted a seed—an idea that adolescents could thrive in a place rooted in trust, purpose, and connection to the earth,” said Debra Hershey Guren, HMS board emeritus, major donor, alumni parent, and current grandparent. “Watching that vision grow into a vibrant, global community has been one of the most meaningful journeys of my life. Hershey’s Huntsburg Campus is more than a school—it’s a living expression of Montessori’s cosmic vision, where young people are truly seen, challenged, and inspired.”

From Seed to Legacy
What began as a bold experiment has flourished into a living community of growth and connection. For more than a quarter of a century, the Huntsburg Campus has welcomed adolescents from around the world, each bringing unique cultures, perspectives, and gifts.

“I still remember when I first visited the Huntsburg Campus. I saw students joyfully working in the garden—so confident, so connected. It was clear this was more than a school. For 25 years, Hershey has honored the adolescent journey with purpose, trust, and deep respect. Watching young people grow into themselves here has been one of the greatest privileges of my life,” said John Buzzard, Huntsburg Campus Director.

The intentional design of Hershey Montessori’s academic and social programs, open the door for students to engage in purposeful work that nurtures independence, responsibility, and care for others.

The Production & Exchange program is one example—an opportunity for adolescents to experience meaningful work and economic literacy through real-world practice. This essential program, and many others, have been supported and sustained through the generosity of a number of donors, among them The Hershey Foundation, the Rig III Foundation, The Dekko Foundation, and the Jerome T. Osborne and Georgeanne S. Osborne Charitable Trust.

Looking Ahead
With its foundation firmly rooted in Montessori principles and its gaze set on the future, Hershey Montessori’s Huntsburg Campus continues to evolve.

“As we celebrate 25 years of the Huntsburg Campus, we honor not just a milestone, but a movement—one that has redefined what adolescent education can be. This campus began as a bold vision rooted in Montessori’s Erdkinder principles, and today it stands as a living, breathing example of what happens when young people are trusted to lead, grow, and contribute meaningfully to their world,” said Diana LeSieur, Interim Head of School and Director of Admissions. “Looking ahead, our commitment is stronger than ever—to deepen our impact, expand access, and continue evolving with the needs of our students and the world they will inherit. The next 25 years hold extraordinary promise, and we are ready to meet them with purpose, passion, and possibility.”

For more about the Huntsburg Campus and its programs, visit the Hershey Montessori School website.

Hershey Receives $150k from The Dekko Foundation

Hershey Receives $150k from The Dekko Foundation

Sep 17, 2025 | Featured Posts, School News | 0 comments

Concord & Huntsburg, Ohio — Hershey Montessori School is honored to announce receipt of the second and final payment of $150,000 from The Dekko Foundation for the two-year grant award of $300,000 entitled, “Rebuilding Capacity for Sustainability.”

This capacity-building investment strengthens Hershey Montessori’s enrollment and retention efforts, placing the school on a new upward trajectory toward long-term financial sustainability. With these funds, Hershey will expand its marketing plan, deepen domestic and international engagement, and implement campus-based retention strategies.

“Our mission is to provide beautiful Montessori environments, where learning and work are integrated within a community experience engaging the intellectual, moral, and social development of children and adolescents from birth to eighteen years,” said Interim Head of School Diana Le Sieur. “We are deeply grateful for The Dekko Foundation’s partnership in this mission.”

Through this investment, Hershey Montessori School will continue to guide children and adolescents in developing a strong sense of self, equipping them to thrive in changing times, and preparing them to contribute to the world as stewards of peace and humanity.

Hershey Montessori School, with campuses in Concord and Huntsburg, Ohio, serves children from birth through age 18. As an internationally recognized Montessori school, Hershey is a model for best practices and a hub for Montessori teacher training.

 

Hershey Receives Ohio Arts Council ArtsSTART Grant

Hershey Receives Ohio Arts Council ArtsSTART Grant

Jun 17, 2025 | Featured Posts, School News | 0 comments

Hershey Montessori School is deeply grateful to the Ohio Arts Council for the generous $3,642 ArtsSTART grant for the 2024–2025 school year.

This support enriched our arts program across both campuses, providing materials and resources that fostered creativity, self-expression, and cultural awareness from kindergarten through 12th grade.

The grant allowed professional teaching artists to collaborate with classroom guides, integrating visual arts, music, and performance into academic subjects and daily learning. Students applied these artistic experiences in class projects, performances, and exhibitions, sharing their work with peers, families, and the wider community.

This holistic, hands-on approach reflects the Montessori philosophy of nurturing the whole child and developing creativity, confidence, and critical thinking for life.