Senior Spotlight: Max Pittenger
Max Pittenger is graduating from South Doyle High School and is excited for what comes next. This fall, he’ll head to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga to study Marketing in the Rollins College of Business, building on interests he’s already begun to develop. Max has been part of First Presbyterian since he was a small child, and it has been such al joy to watch him grow up over the years. If you know Max, you know he has a big heart and cares deeply about the people around him.
Right now, Max enjoys learning about cars, along with marketing and business. That mix makes sense when you get to know him. He’s someone who likes to understand how things work, whether that’s under the hood of a car or behind the scenes of a brand or idea. Outside of school, he spends a lot of time working on cars, along with exploring interests in art, fashion, and creating. There’s a hands-on, creative side to him that shows up in a lot of what he does.
Max says he feels most like himself when he’s with close friends or taking a drive on a summer day, time to think, reset, and just enjoy being present. Those simple moments reflect what matters most to him. He cares deeply about his friends, his family, and animals, and that care shapes how he shows up in relationships.
His family describes him as well-rounded, someone who is artistic, capable, kind, and funny, with a steady relationship with Christ. Those qualities carry into the way he lives day to day, not in big, dramatic ways, but in consistency and how he treats people.
Some of Max’s favorite experiences through youth group have been time spent at Montreat, camping, and river rafting, places where friendships grow and faith takes on a more personal shape. His time at Montreat with the youth ministry, in particular, stands out as his favorite memories.
When Max reflects on his faith, he points to the people around him. He’s seen God at work through the support and encouragement of others in his life. That has shaped how he understands what it means to follow Christ.
He’s especially drawn to the way Jesus loves and includes everyone. That example has influenced how Max approaches the world, with a desire to treat people with care, to include others, and to lead with a steady sense of respect.
As Max steps into this next chapter, he brings with him a strong sense of who he is, creative, grounded, and shaped by the relationships and faith that have guided him so far. We’re so grateful for him and look forward to all that lies ahead.