Compassion in Action: Saint Joseph’s College Names Lindsay Levesque First #MakeMercyReal Scholarship Winner

SACO, ME – In an award presentation on April 30th, Saint Joseph’s College of Maine (SJC) officially named Thornton Academy senior Lindsay Levesque as the first recipient of the #MakeMercyReal TikTok Challenge scholarship, receiving a four year full-ride scholarship that covers tuition, room, and board.

A Mission Beyond the Screen

Launched late last year, the #MakeMercyReal Challenge & Scholarship was created with the goal to attract students who are already living the SJC mission. It is meant to be a different approach, connecting with students where they are, and allowing them to creatively show their compassion in action to the world!

As President Joseph Cassidy noted at the launch of the challenge, the College is looking for “students who have big hearts.” In Lindsay Levesque, Saint Joseph’s College has found a leader who proves that kindness and character are just as valuable as a transcript.

“To see a student already working on the front lines as a CNA trainee win this scholarship is the perfect embodiment of Mercy values and what Saint Joseph’s College of Maine stands for.” said Haley Thompson, Senior Vice President.

The Winning Moment: A Connection of the Generations

Levesque’s winning TikTok entry didn’t feature flashy trends or dance moves. Instead, it focused on the quiet, often overlooked needs of her community. An Arundel native with a 3.94 GPA, Lindsay is currently enrolled in the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program at the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology (BRCOT) and completed her clinicals at St. Andre` Health Care in Biddeford.

In her video, Lindsay highlighted a simple but profound mission: visiting seniors in assisted living facilities who long for genuine human interaction and being someone they can talk to.

“When I first heard about this challenge, I thought it was an amazing opportunity to share something so meaningful in my life,” Levesque shared during her remarks. “It made me stop and think about what compassion actually looks like… not big or dramatic moments, but the quiet ones. [This scholarship] makes me feel seen not just for what I’ve done, but who I’m trying to become.”

A “Powerhouse” Addition to SJC

Lindsay’s journey to SJC as a Nursing major and a future member of the Monks’ volleyball team is a natural progression of her high school success. At Thornton Academy, she was an integral part of the historic volleyball season that saw the school reach its first-ever state championship.

Her educators were quick to praise her dual strength in academics and empathy:

• Hossein Miremadi (Chemistry Teacher): “Lindsay is a passionate, enthusiastic, and inquisitive student… she advocated well for herself and her peers.”
• Jeff Camarie (Counselor): “She’s a really great girl, very genuine and friendly. She has easily navigated the academic side of high school and has thrived as an athlete, as well.”

Investing in the Future of Healthcare

The presentation also served as a celebration of the “pipeline” between Maine’s technical education centers and higher education. By rewarding a student who is already providing essential care through BRCOT, Saint Joseph’s College is reinforcing its commitment to high-demand fields like nursing and the importance of vocational foundations.

As Lindsay prepares to join the SJC community this fall, her story serves as a reminder that the smallest acts of mercy can have the biggest impact.

“I am thankful for the people who’ve shaped me,” Levesque concluded. “They’re the ones who taught me what compassion looks like before I even tried to put it in a video.”

To learn more about the #MakeMercyReal initiative or to apply to Saint Joseph’s College of Maine, visit www.sjcme.edu.

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.

xxx