The DeKalb County Community Foundation is thrilled to announce the DHS Alumni Scholarship Fund as a new opportunity for students at DeKalb High School (DHS)! This Fund awards scholarships to graduating seniors pursuing continuing education and training for career advancement. Students attending a vocational-technical school, trade school, two-year college, four-year college, or university are eligible.

All DHS alumni and community supporters are invited to join in this historical legacy for DeKalb High School. Go Barbs!

The creation of this unique alumni scholarship, initiated by the DHS Class of 1973, provides an exciting opportunity for ALL DHS ALUMNI to participate in creating a legacy to support future generations of DeKalb High School students and the communities served by CUSD #428.

This endowed Scholarship Fund was established by DHS alumni to provide financial assistance to deserving students for many years to come. The first awarding of the DHS Alumni Scholarship is set for spring 2023.

“DeKalb has nurtured exceptional people over the years,” said Mark Frisch, ’73 class president. “Today, you can go to a bookstore and buy a Pulitzer Prize-winning book written by a DHS alum. You can stream a television show starring another or read history books about another who was a U.S. Secretary of Labor. The most important thing we can do for the future is to invest in our youth and their opportunities. The scholarship provides graduating seniors with resources to compete in a rapidly changing society as education continues to be the differentiator.”

DeKalb High School graduating seniors interested in applying for the DHS Alumni Scholarship are encouraged to use the Community Foundation’s Universal Scholarship Application process. Applications open on February 1, 2023.

“We are grateful to partner with representatives of the DHS Class of 1973 in this innovative new Fund,” said Foundation Executive Director Dan Templin. “It is exciting to think about the numerous alumni donors who will help grow this Fund and recipient Barb graduates who will benefit from it for decades to come!”

This historical legacy for DeKalb High School actively seeks donations to grow its educational impact. All DHS alumni and community supporters are invited to donate to the Fund. Gifts of all sizes are welcomed, recognized, and greatly appreciated.

Donations to the DHS Alumni Scholarship Fund can be made online or by mail to the DeKalb County Community Foundation, 475 DeKalb Avenue, Sycamore, IL 60178. For donation questions, please contact Dan Templin at 815-748-5383 or dan@dekalbccf.org.