The DeKalb County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of the Ryan Charles Hill Memorial Scholarship Fund. Created by the Hill family, this new Fund honors the heart, humor, and community spirit of Ryan “Vern” Hill, a lifelong Sycamore resident whose warmth and loyalty left a lasting impact on all who knew him.

Pictured: Ryan and Kristin Hill are pictured with their children, Reese, Ella, and Kylan, and family dogs, Kora and Nash.

The scholarship will be awarded each spring to a Sycamore High School senior who reflects the qualities Ryan carried so naturally. It will honor the student who shows up, includes others, laughs easily, and makes every space feel a little more like home.

A 1991 graduate of Sycamore High School, Ryan was the kind of person who could turn a dugout, garage, or backyard fire pit into the center of the universe. He was a three-sport athlete, a loyal friend, and a lifelong believer in community—the kind built by hand and heart, one joke and one favor at a time.

Ryan was also known for his enormous hands, unwavering devotion to the White Sox, ever-changing six-month hobbies, and his ability to win people over simply by being himself. Ryan didn’t just belong to his family; he belonged to everyone who knew him.

“Ryan had a way of making everyone feel included,” his family shared. “He believed in showing up for teammates, for friends, for neighbors, for his girls. If a kid reminded you of Ryan, you didn’t describe their grades or stats. You described their heart.”

The scholarship’s criteria reflect that same spirit. It will recognize a student who demonstrates kindness, inclusivity, humility, quiet grit, and the ability to make others feel like they belong, whether on a field, a stage, at work, or in the hallway.

The Fund was made possible through the generosity of friends, family, neighbors, and community members who rallied around the Hill family following Ryan’s passing in September 2025. Their support allows the scholarship to be awarded in perpetuity, ensuring Ryan’s legacy continues to inspire future generations of Sycamore students.

The first scholarship recipient will be announced during the Sycamore High School Awards Night in spring 2026.

“We are deeply honored to be entrusted with just one part of Ryan’s amazing legacy through this endowed Fund that will help Sycamore High School graduates achieve their career and life goals,” said Dan Templin, Community Foundation Executive Director.

Donations to the Ryan Charles Hill Memorial Scholarship Fund can be made online, by mail to the DeKalb County Community Foundation, 475 DeKalb Avenue, Sycamore, IL 60178, or in person at the Foundation office.

For questions or to learn more about creating a charitable Fund in memory of a loved one, contact the Foundation at 815-748-5383 or dan@dekalbccf.org.