The ShineOnCass Memorial Scholarship, in memory of Cassidy Jean Charette was created to honor the life and legacy of Cassidy. This honor and a $4,000 scholarship is awarded to one graduating student each year at Messalonskee High School who will continue to Shine the Light of Cassidy in his/her/their pursuit of higher education and community service. All graduating seniors are invited to apply with the agreement to complete 20 hours of service each year while attending college. The recipient is selected by the ShineOnCass Foundation Scholarship Committee, and is announced prior to graduation. 

Congratulations to Emma McDowell!
2026 recipient of the ShineOnCass Memorial Scholarship!

We made a surprise visit to Belgrade where our excited ShineOnCass volunteers ambushed a very unsuspecting Messalonskee Senior at her home on Memorial Day! With family and friends there to celebrate, we proudly presented the amazing Emma McDowell with the 11th Annual Cassidy Jean Charette Memorial Scholarship!
Emma's young life of kindness has mirrored Cassidy's in so many ways. We presented Emma with a special sneaker, a symbol of the sneakers she asked for on her 10th birthday... to give a classmate who didn't have any. She is Cassidy's Light.

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ShineOnCass Memorial Scholarship Recipients ​

2016  Elizabeth Larsen
2017  Anna Dobos
2018  Anya Fegal
2019 Emily Larsen
​2020 Isaac Violette
​2021 Lily Wilkie
​2022 Sarah Hellen
​2023 Lily Moore
​2024 Brayden Perry
​2025 Olivia Farag
2026 Emma McDowell