Cassidy Jean Charette was as ASPIRING as she was INSPIRING. And still is. She left her mark on area students, teachers, parents and our community, simply by being herself. While she was a scholar and athlete, it was her character and the way she lived her life that left an impression on us all. She devoted much of her young life to service—at soup kitchens, food pantries, homeless shelters, animal shelters, in school and in church—wherever she could help others. She was especially passionate about youth mentoring. Cassidy lived just 6,250 days. And while she achieved greatness in those days, she was very humble, gentle and kind. It was her way. She taught us that the essence of life, however long, is how we treat each other. Shine on Cass!
The ShineOnCass Junior Service Award was created to celebrate and recognize volunteerism and service. Students receiving the awards emulate Cassidy's genuine kindness, exceptional service in her community and compassion and selfless concern for others. The students selected have demonstrated truly extraordinary service, going above and beyond requirements for schools or clubs.This special award started first at Messalonskee High School in 2015, and in 2018, expanded to include recognizing juniors at Lawrence High School, Winslow High School and Waterville Senior High School. All students in Junior class standing are eligible to receive the award. Candidates may be nominated by a parent, teacher, community organization or apply themselves.
“ShineOnCass” recipients are recognized and receive a monetary gift from the ShineOnCass Foundation to be used at their discretion to extend kindness and service. Recipients are asked to share how they shine Cassidy’s light. Honorable mention recipients are recognized and presented with a Kindness Book Award.
The ShineOnCass Junior Service Award was created to celebrate and recognize volunteerism and service. Students receiving the awards emulate Cassidy's genuine kindness, exceptional service in her community and compassion and selfless concern for others. The students selected have demonstrated truly extraordinary service, going above and beyond requirements for schools or clubs.This special award started first at Messalonskee High School in 2015, and in 2018, expanded to include recognizing juniors at Lawrence High School, Winslow High School and Waterville Senior High School. All students in Junior class standing are eligible to receive the award. Candidates may be nominated by a parent, teacher, community organization or apply themselves.
“ShineOnCass” recipients are recognized and receive a monetary gift from the ShineOnCass Foundation to be used at their discretion to extend kindness and service. Recipients are asked to share how they shine Cassidy’s light. Honorable mention recipients are recognized and presented with a Kindness Book Award.
2021 ShineOnCass Junior Service Awards
Messalonskee High School ShineOnCass Award: Sarah Hellen Honorable Mention: Grace Stocco Sarah proudly made her award gift in memory of Cassidy to Spectrum Generations Muskie Community Center, where both she and Cass volunteered. |
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Lawrence High School ShineOnCass Award: Emily Hagerty Emily chose to pay it forward to the Fairfield Police Department's Cops Care for Kids program, which provides Christmas gifts for underprivileged children. |
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Winslow High School ShineOnCass Award: Sage Clukey Sage paid it forward to the Winslow Community Cupboard, where she serves as a volunteer to help food insecure families in her community. |
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Waterville Senior High School
ShineOnCass Award: Elleanor King Elle shined Cassidy's Light by making Valentine's Day baskets for a whole class of special education students, with a ShineOnCass message lovingly tucked into each one. |
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2020 ShineOnCass Junior Service Awards
Messalonskee High School
ShineOnCass Award: (left) Sierra Gagnon Honorable Mention Awards: Kristen Dube, Gemini August, and Grace Bridges 
Sierra personally selected and delivered items to the Maine Children's Home for Little Wanderers in support of their Christmas Program, in memory of Cassidy.
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Lawrence High School ShineOnCass Award: Justice Champagne Justice proudly donated to Cops Care for Kids at the Fairfield Police Department to help support local youth during the holidays! |
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Winslow High School
ShineOnCass Award: Lilly Harvey
Lilly used her ShineOnCass award to support the Maine Children's Home for Little Wanderers!
ShineOnCass Award: Lilly Harvey
Lilly used her ShineOnCass award to support the Maine Children's Home for Little Wanderers!
Waterville Senior High School
ShineOnCass Award: (left) Ella Moody Honorable Mention: (right) Emme Ayers Ella made her donation in memory of Cass to the Humane Society Waterville Area, where Cassidy was a volunteer. ShineOnCass! |
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2019 ShineOnCass Junior Service Awards
Messalonskee High School ShineOnCass Award: Isaac Violette (right) Honorable Mention: Ben Hellen Isaac proudly donated his ShineOnCass award to Camp Mechuwana, where he has served as a youth ministry volunteer for many years. Isaac wrote to the Foundation that he "hoped the donation would help those less fortunate to be able to attend camp as he did." |
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Lawrence High School
ShineOnCass Award: Michael Roy Honorable Mention: Haley Hersey Michael paid it forward to the Albion PAL Association, where he helped build needed shelving and benches and do other restoration projects at the Albion PAL athletic field. During his Eagle Scout Rank presentation, he shared Cassidy's story and how he chose to Shine Her Light in his community. |
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Winslow High School ShineOnCass Award: Grace Smith (right) Honorable Mention: Mallory Sheridan (left) Grace Shines On at Winslow Elementary Food Pantry, helping stock the shelves with food for students and families in need. |
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Waterville Senior High School
ShineOnCass Award: Olivia Lovendahl (right)
Honorable Mention: Jasmine Liberty (left)
Olivia gifted her ShineOnCass Award to Seeds of Peace, an organization she says "has impacted my life in such a positive way, encouraging me to be kind, be a leader and to move forward through difficult times."
ShineOnCass Award: Olivia Lovendahl (right)
Honorable Mention: Jasmine Liberty (left)
Olivia gifted her ShineOnCass Award to Seeds of Peace, an organization she says "has impacted my life in such a positive way, encouraging me to be kind, be a leader and to move forward through difficult times."
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2018 ShineOnCass Junior Service Awards
Messalonskee High School
ShineOnCass Award: Molly Calkins (far left) Honorable Mention: Paige Lilly, Olivia Lagace, Emily Larsen Molly donated her $100 award to Camp Sunshine in Casco, Maine, a retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families, where she volunteers. |
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Lawrence High School
ShineOnCass Award: Nora Buck Nora used her ShineOnCass Award to pay it forward to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes summer camp, an organization that allows kids and adults to learn more about faith and service to others. "Thank you for choosing me as the ShineOnCass recipient and giving me the opportunity to help another kid strengthen their relationship with Christ." Nora |
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Winslow High School
ShineOnCass Award: Emily Glidden (center left) and Mackenzy Labrie (center right) Honorable Mention: Amber Worthly (1st left) and Meaghan Bernard (far right) 
Mackenzy donated her ShineOnCass award to Hart-to-Hart Farm & Education Center in Albion, ME, to help fund a summer camper. Mack and Cass were both long-time campers there, and she wanted to remember Cassidy by giving the same opportunity to another child. |
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Waterville Senior High School
ShineOnCass Award: Jericah Saucier (far right) Honorable Mention: Lauren Smith and Brock Jolicoeur Jericah used her ShineOnCass award to purchase needed items for a local homeless shelter and when she visited for the first time, it ignited a passion to continue to help. Jericah wrote a long, loving letter explaining that through Cassidy, she now has a new connection with the shelter and plans to continue to give and volunteer to help others less fortunate.
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2017 ShineOnCass Junior Service Awards
Messalonskee High School
ShineOnCass Award: Lauren Mercier
Lauren chose to pay it forward by buying the book The Kissing Hand for every preschool student in the RSU 18 district, and for every preschool teacher in surrounding towns. Inside each book is the "How will you Shine?" sticker with Cassidy's photo and #KindnessMatters.
Belgrade Central Pre-K Teacher Michelle Lenentine with Lauren
Messalonskee High School
ShineOnCass Award: Lauren Mercier
Lauren chose to pay it forward by buying the book The Kissing Hand for every preschool student in the RSU 18 district, and for every preschool teacher in surrounding towns. Inside each book is the "How will you Shine?" sticker with Cassidy's photo and #KindnessMatters.
Belgrade Central Pre-K Teacher Michelle Lenentine with Lauren
Honorable Mention: Mackenzie Burton, Anya Fegal, (Monica & Lauren) Owen Corrigan
Honorable Mention: Mackenzie Burton, Anya Fegal, (Monica & Lauren) Owen Corrigan
2016 ShineOnCass Junior Service Awards
Messalonskee High School
ShineOnCass Award: Anna Dobos & Fern Calkins
Honorable Mention: Gabriela Languet, Nathan Violette, Avery Brennan, Emmy Warren
Annie Dobos shared how she very spontaneously decided to give to local fundraiser for school supplies and a second collection for Easter basket items for children. "My heart ached knowing there were kids that needed things to feel like the rest of their peers. I was told I was able to help about 100 kids with my ShineOnCass donation!"
Messalonskee High School
ShineOnCass Award: Anna Dobos & Fern Calkins
Honorable Mention: Gabriela Languet, Nathan Violette, Avery Brennan, Emmy Warren
Annie Dobos shared how she very spontaneously decided to give to local fundraiser for school supplies and a second collection for Easter basket items for children. "My heart ached knowing there were kids that needed things to feel like the rest of their peers. I was told I was able to help about 100 kids with my ShineOnCass donation!"
Fern Calkins paid it forward to the Maine Children's Home for Little Wanderers, Waterville, Maine, a non- profit that instills hope and better quality of life through a variety of programs and services that strengthen families and communities.
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2015 ShineOnCass Junior Service Awards
Messalonskee High School ShineOnCass Award: Lily Webb Lilly donated her award to Pine Tree Camp in Belgrade, Maine, a summer camp for children and adults with disabilities, and their families. "I am so grateful for the opportunity to help the bright spirit of Cass Shine On. When I am faced with a difficult situation, I still ask myself what Cassidy would do. Thank you for this opportunity to pay it forward." Lily Webb |