Yvonne Johnson, donor

Congratulations to Erika Nunez, recipient of the 2022 Renaissance Scholarship. The $1,000 scholarship award will assist Erika as she completes an associate degree from Kishwaukee College in Malta, Illinois. The award is made possible through the generosity of donor Yvonne Johnson and her creation of the Renaissance Education Scholarship Fund at the DeKalb County Community Foundation.

The Renaissance Education Scholarship Fund provides educational support to those currently in the workforce who wish to pursue their educational dreams. Long-time educator Yvonne Johnson created the Fund in 2007 at the Community Foundation to align with her charitable interests. She works with the Foundation to establish a scholarship selection committee composed of DeKalb County residents. Each year the committee members work independently to review all applications and select the scholarship recipient. The committee makes their selections free of political consideration and bias.

This year’s recipient, Erika, is a hairstylist and salon owner in Sycamore, Illinois. She continues to work and grow her business while completing her associate degree, with plans to continue at Northern Illinois University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in music.

“Returning to school for a music degree has been on my mind since high school,” said Erika. “I can finally say that I will be starting school at NIU to achieve this. I am excited about my future schooling and what I can do with my degree after graduation.”

For questions or additional scholarship information, please contact Grants & Scholarships Manager Becky Zantout at 815-748-5383 or scholarships@dekalbccf.org.

Contribute to any Fund at the Community Foundation online or by mail to the DeKalb County Community Foundation, 475 DeKalb Avenue, Sycamore, IL 60178.

 Pictured above – Erika Nunez, 2022 Renaissance Scholarship recipient