Character and Kindness Earn a Full Ride: Adriana Pettengill Named Second #MakeMercyReal Winner

OAKLAND, ME – In a powerful display of community and character, Messalonskee High School senior Adriana Pettengill was awarded a full-ride scholarship to Saint Joseph’s College of Maine (SJC) today. The presentation took place at 12:20 PM in the Messalonskee High School’s Performing Arts Center, marking a life-changing milestone for the Belgrade native.

Pettengill is the second winner of the college’s innovative #MakeMercyReal TikTok Challenge, a scholarship initiative that prioritizes a student’s heart and community impact over traditional academic metrics alone.

Compassion in Action

The #MakeMercyReal Challenge is far from your typical scholarship application. Inspired by the Sisters of Mercy and their founder, Catherine McAuley, the campaign asked prospective students to submit 15–30 second TikTok videos documenting genuine moments of compassion.

“We are not just looking for students who have high grades or impressive stats on the field; we are looking for students who have big hearts,” said Joseph Cassidy, President of Saint Joseph’s College of Maine. “This challenge is our way of saying that character and kindness are just as valuable as your transcript.”

For Pettengill, the award recognizes her commitment to the college’s mission and core values by putting compassion into action.

Adriana Pettengill said today “I chose to show how I #MakeMercyReal by helping my Nana with things around her apartment that she struggles to do on her own. I wanted to share something personal because I believe mercy is shown through simple everyday actions — being there for others, especially my Nana where she has done so much for me and my brother throughout our lives, helping without expecting anything in return, and showing kindness and patience to the people who need it most.

Helping my grandmother has taught me a lot about compassion, responsibility, and the importance of caring for family. Even small acts of kindness can make a big difference in someone’s life, and that is something I will continue to carry with me in the future.”

A Legacy of Mercy and Local Excellence

For Adriana, this scholarship is a continuation of a deep family tradition; her grandmother is a proud alumna of the Saint Joseph’s College Nursing program. By joining the SJC community this fall, Adriana will walk the same campus where her grandmother once trained to serve others.

The move to Standish also marks a high-profile reunion for Messalonskee athletics. Adriana, who plans to play both field hockey and lacrosse for the Monks, will be joining a program led by a fellow Messalonskee alum. Lydia Dexter ’21, the Head Coach of the SJC Women’s Lacrosse program, has taken the conference by storm since her appointment in September 2024. Just this month, Dexter was named GNAC Coach of the Year after leading the Monks to a stellar 17-3 record and the GNAC Championship title.

About Pettengill

Beyond her commitment to service, Pettengill is an accomplished student-athlete. At SJC, she plans to:

• Major: Business Administration
• Athletics: Joins the Monks’ Division III Field Hockey and Lacrosse
• Lives: Belgrade, ME
• Attends: Messalonskee High School

The ceremony was attended by representatives from Saint Joseph’s College, Messalonskee High School leadership, and RSU 18 District officials, all of whom gathered to celebrate a student who embodies the leadership the world needs today.

About the #MakeMercyReal Initiative

Saint Joseph’s College has named two awardees for this scholarship this year. The program recognizes students who weave mercy into every aspect of their lives from academics to athletics.

About Saint Joseph’s College of Maine
Founded in 1912 by the Sisters of Mercy, Saint Joseph’s College of Maine is the state’s only Catholic liberal arts college. Located on the shores of Sebago Lake in Standish, Maine, the college offers a diverse, inclusive community focused on compassion, justice, and environmental stewardship. The college’s 382-acre campus includes 2,500 feet of waterfront and is committed to sustainability.

Saint Joseph’s College of Maine offers more than 40 undergraduate programs and 22 Division III athletic teams for approximately 800 on-campus students, along with certificates, undergraduate, and graduate degrees to over 2,000 working adults online, both in the U.S. and internationally. Learn more at www.sjcme.edu.

For more information on the #MakeMercyReal initiative, visit www.sjcme.edu.