The DeKalb County Community Foundation recently awarded Donald and Patricia Pritchard Scholarships to four recipients. Logan Bend, Ava Splear, Samantha Moore, and Natalie Pasillas were selected through a competitive process in the second year for this scholarship opportunity.

The annual scholarships are possible through the Donald and Patricia Pritchard Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation. The Fund benefits a high school senior in DeKalb County who plans to attend the University of Illinois College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences (ACES) or a current college student who is a graduate of a DeKalb County high school and enrolled in the ACES program at the University of Illinois.

Logan and Ava are 2021 Indian Creek High School graduates, and both are entering their second year in the ACES Program at the University of Illinois. Logan is majoring in agriculture and consumer economics, while Ava is majoring in agriculture leadership, education, and communications.

“The farm has shaped me into the person I am today. I hope the work I put into it will inspire my children to be the next generation that continues the farming tradition,” wrote Logan Bend.

Samantha Moore and Natalie Pasillas are 2022 high school graduates. Samantha graduated from DeKalb High School and intends to major in animal sciences. Natalie graduated from Sycamore High School with plans to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.

“I want to love what I do and dedicate my life to a profession that makes me feel happy, shared Natalie Pasillas in her application. “It’s something I look forward to doing every day, and when I think about becoming a veterinarian, I get that feeling.”

The scholarship is named for Donald and Patricia Pritchard, who have strong ties to DeKalb County. The Pritchards dedicated their careers to working in animal sciences and agriculture. Both Don and Patricia know the value of a college education, having worked in various roles within the university system.

Donations to any Fund at the Community Foundation can be made online or by mail to the DeKalb County Community Foundation, 475 DeKalb Avenue, Sycamore, IL 60178. For questions or additional scholarship information, contact Becky Zantout at 815-748-5383 or b.zantout@dekalbccf.org.

Pictured above: 2022 Pritchard Scholarship recipients Logan Bend, Ava Splear, Samantha Moore, and Natalie Pasillas.