The ShineOnCass Foundation recently presented three scholarships, totaling $6,000, to local seniors who make service and kindness part of their everyday life.

The ninth annual ShineOnCass Memorial Scholarship, in memory of Cassidy Jean Charette, was presented to Brayden Perry of Oakland. Perry will receive a $4,000 scholarship to Merrimack College, where he plans to pursuing a career in nursing. The scholarship, started by Charette’s Messlaonskee High School class of 2016, is open to only Messalonskee students. Funding is dispersed annually after recipients demonstrate completion of 20 hours of service work each year.

The first ShineOnCass Community Scholarship, created to recognize service-focused seniors living in Winslow, Waterville, Lawrence or Messalonskee school districts, was determined by the selection committee to be a tie, so the foundation decided to present two $1,000 awards. Scholarships were presented to Hallie Firmage, a Lawrence High School senior who plans to attend Brigham Young University; and to Emma Jane-Parsons from Messalonskee High School, who plans to attend Wheaton College.

Both scholarships were created in honor and memory of Charette, a longtime volunteer in the central Maine community and former Messalonskee student, who died in a hayride accident in 2014. The foundation awards over $10,000 in local scholarships every year supporting higher education, aspiring young violinists, youth soccer, children attending summer farm camps, and other awards recognizing youth service and kindness.

To learn more, visit shineoncass.org.

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