The DeKalb County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the 2026 Spinoso Masters Scholarship recipients. This year, four local students pursuing postgraduate degrees will share $30,000 in generous support.

Congratulations to recipients McKenna Dayhuff, Crystal Gonzalez, Justene Jennings and Benjamin Younker (pictured above). 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 at an accredited institution working toward an advanced degree in any field of study.

The four award recipients have a variety of educational pursuits:

• McKenna Dayhuff is a 2020 Somonauk High School graduate pursuing a Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration at Northern Illinois University.
• Crystal Gonzalez is a 2019 Hiawatha High School graduate working toward a Doctor of Nursing Practice at Rosalind Franklin University.
• Justene Jennings is a 2016 DeKalb High School graduate pursuing a Doctorate in Nursing Practice at St. Catherine University.
• Benjamin Younker is a 2022 Genoa-Kingston High School graduate working toward a Master of Science in Structural Engineering at the University of Wisconsin Platteville.

“As I look forward to graduate school, this exciting new adventure can sometimes feel weighed down by the burden of student loans and the high cost of education,” said Jennings. “Receiving this scholarship has relieved part of that stress, making it possible for me to pursue my educational goals with greater confidence and focus.”

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 15th year, the Fund has awarded $450,000 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.