The DeKalb County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the 2025 Spinoso Masters Scholarship recipients. This year, four local students pursuing postgraduate degrees will share $30,000 in generous support.

Congratulations to recipients McKenna Dayhuff, Cassidy Loft, Hanna Chriss, and Misty Villagomez. The scholarships are made possible through the annual generosity of donors John and Vivian Spinoso to the Spinoso Masters Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation.

Individuals who receive a Spinoso Masters Scholarship must be graduates of a DeKalb County high school and enrolled in an accredited institution working toward an advanced degree in any field of study.

The four award recipients have a variety of educational pursuits. Dayhuff is a 2020 Somonauk High School graduate pursuing Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration degrees at Northern Illinois University. Loft is a 2019 Genoa-Kingston High School graduate working toward a Master of Arts in Public History at Northeastern University. Chriss is a 2021 Genoa-Kingston High School graduate pursuing a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree at Roseman University of Health Sciences. Misty Villagomez is a 2018 Genoa-Kingston High School graduate working toward a Master of Arts in International Relations at American University.

“As a law student with a background in agriculture, this scholarship helps me continue my education and pursue my goal of providing legal services to rural communities in Illinois,” said Dayhuff. “Growing up on a farm shaped my understanding of the unique legal needs rural communities face. I hope to return to a small town to provide trusted legal services that support local families, farmers, and businesses in communities like the one that shaped me”

Donors John and Vivian Spinoso created the Spinoso Masters Scholarship Fund out of a desire to support local students beyond their undergraduate years. Now in its 14th year, the Fund has awarded more than $420,000 to DeKalb County graduates.

If giving the gift of education interests you, consider donating to an existing Fund at dekalbccf.org/donate or by mail to the DeKalb County Community Foundation, 475 DeKalb Avenue, Sycamore, IL 60178. For questions or additional scholarship information, please contact the Community Foundation at 815-748-5383 or scholarships@dekalbccf.org.