The Sycamore Education Foundation administers a number of scholarships to support Sycamore High School students in their future endeavors. To apply for these scholarships, students can access application information through Naviance. If you have any questions, please contact your school counselor.
To discuss your charitable interests or to give back to SHS by establishing a scholarship, please contact us at 815.899.8264 or info@sycamoresef.org.
Marian Elliott Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is offered on behalf of Marian Elliott, a 1936 graduate of Sycamore High School. Marian went on to become an educator for 41 years with 30 of those years in the field of speech therapy at the elementary and middle school levels. Marian held Sycamore in high regard, and this scholarship is offered in honor of her and her longstanding commitment to education. To apply for this scholarship, students must be planning to major in education.
Julie Eggert Haka Memorial Scholarship
A memorial award for Sycamore High School students to honor Julie Eggert Haka, a community steward, established by the Haka family. This scholarship is based on need, but scholastic achievement is a factor in the final selection. To apply, the student must be a graduating senior, accepted to a university or junior college. The student must have expressed a desire to pursue an education in the field of medicine primarily in nursing.
Rhoda Johnson Memorial Scholarship
An award to memorialize Rhoda Johnson, a graduate of Sycamore High School & Northern Illinois University who taught DeKalb County youth for over 10 years. This award is intended for a Sycamore High School student intending to pursue a career in education.
Donald D. Kendall Scholarship
An award for Sycamore High School students to memorialize Donald D. & Bernice Kendall who both valued education. This scholarship is to be given to a senior who has been in the cooperative work program or Kishwaukee Education Consortium vocational program, particularly in the area of business or restaurant management.
Joel Strack Memorial Scholarship – Leadership
This scholarship is open to a Sycamore High School senior who demonstrates leadership in the community with a passion for inspiring positive change that affects others ability to achieve their goals and dreams. Candidates for this scholarship have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and have plans to enroll in an accredited U.S. college or university as an undergraduate for the first time in the fall term following high school graduation. Students are selected based on the following criteria: academic excellence; keen interest in leadership development, and an appreciation for the values exemplified by Joel’s life.
Joel Strack Memorial Scholarship – Performing Arts
This scholarship is open to a Sycamore High School senior who demonstrates exceptional ability and passion for the performing arts, including vocal music and theater. Candidates for this scholarship have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and have plans to enroll in an accredited U.S. college or university as an undergraduate for the first time in the fall term following high school graduation. Students are selected based on the following criteria: academic excellence; excellence in the performing arts, and desire a professional career in music and/or theater.
Liam P. Sullivan Memorial Scholarship
Billy West Memorial Scholarship
The West family and his fifth grade teacher, Jami Sauber, established the Billy West Memorial Scholarship to honor Billy’s life and legacy. Billy would have been a 2022 graduate of Sycamore High School. Billy was a compassionate young man and cared for everyone, especially those who took the time to know him well. Once he left West Elementary to head to his upper grades, he continued to come back to West Elementary to visit all his teachers. Billy loved his West Elementary “family,” and they loved him dearly back. This $500 scholarship will benefit a Sycamore High School senior who attended West Elementary School.
Donna J. Lyons Bukowski Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is open to a Sycamore High School senior who aspires to enter the business field and demonstrate the spirit of entrepreneurship by inspiring others to start a business or by starting their own. Candidates for this scholarship should have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and have plans to enter an accredited U.S. College or university or certified trade program following high school graduation. Students are selected based on academic excellence, participation in school clubs or organizations that promote responsible citizenship, and appreciation for the field of business.
Beckam North Fillipp Memorial Scholarship
The Beckam North Fillipp Memorial Scholarship was created as a way to honor Beckam North Fillipp, a sweet baby boy, who passed away suddenly on February 3rd, 2020 when he was only five months old. Beckam was so incredibly special before he was even born, as he was made possible through the incredible gift of surrogacy. Through the gut-wrenching, heart-shattering, live-changing loss of sweet Beckam, his family knows their lives will never be the same. Even while walking through the most unbearable loss, Beckam’s family chooses each day to lead with love by spreading acts of love and kindness as a way to honor the joy and love Beckam brought to the lives of all who knew, loved, and continue to love him. Do you know a Sycamore High School Senior who leads with love, is a good friend, exhibits kindness, or goes above and beyond for the people in their lives? For more information on this scholarship, please click here.
Joey Warren Memorial Scholarship
Joey Warren graduated from Sycamore High School in 2018. Joey had an adventurous spirit, and he loved to live life to its fullest. Joey played soccer from five years old, from AYSO to travel Soccer, playing indoor with his friends, to four years on the Sycamore High School Soccer team. This memorial scholarship has been created for Sycamore High School students to honor Joey and his legacy. To apply, the student must be a graduating senior, accepted to a university, junior college or trade school. The student must have played soccer as a SHS student, and exhibit qualities that encompassed Joey.
Peter L. Johnson Memorial Scholarship
Peter L. Johnson graduated from Sycamore High School in 1940. After serving 3 1/2 years with the United States Army, in 1946 Pete came back to Sycamore to teach and coach at Sycamore Junior High School. In 1948 he was assigned to Sycamore High School and stayed until 1980. His many positions at SHS have included being a teacher, coach, athletic director, vocational director, assistant principal and principal. His family established this scholarship to honor his life, legacy and dedication to the Sycamore Community School District. The recipient of this scholarship should demonstrate kindness and respect to all, have high character, participated in community and/or school service and be enrolled in an accredited trade school or a 2-4 year educational program.
Meta Scholarship
Meta is the parent organization of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. This $2500 scholarship is financially supported by Meta. The scholarship will benefit a Sycamore High School senior pursuing a degree in a STEM field and attending college locally at Northern Illinois University or Kishwaukee College.
Brian Bemis Toyota Scholarship
This $1000 scholarship is financially supported by Brian Bemis Toyota of DeKalb.
Little Spartans Scholarship
This scholarship is intended to support a student within the Little Spartans Early Learning Program. This scholarship will provide a full year’s tuition to a student based on financial need. For more information on this scholarship and the application, please click here.
