The DeKalb County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the 2022 Spinoso Masters Scholarship recipients. Congratulations to Jacob Bjork, Elena Haliczer, Tyler Hull, and Diana Morales on receiving an award. This year, $30,000 is divided among the four individuals pursuing a master’s or doctorate degree. 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. 

To receive a Spinoso Masters Scholarship, individuals must have graduated from a DeKalb County high school and be enrolled in a post-undergraduate institution working toward a master’s or higher degree in any field of study. 

The four award recipients have a variety of educational pursuits. Jacob Bjork is a 2016 Sycamore High School graduate pursuing a doctorate of medicine at George Washington University School of Medicine (Washington, D.C.). Elena Haliczer is a 1999 graduate of DeKalb High School and working towards a Ph.D. in educational technology at Northern Illinois University. Tyler Hull is a 2018 graduate from Sycamore High School working towards a doctorate of osteopathic medicine at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Bradenton, Florida. Diana Morales is a 2018 graduate of DeKalb High School pursuing a Ph.D. in kinesiology and community health at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 

“This scholarship allows me to broaden my horizons and focus on opportunities to better myself as a student and future physician,” wrote Tyler Hull. “It helps to increase the time I can spend on each of my goals. I hope to give back to my future communities.”

Donors John and Vivian Spinoso have a strong desire to support continuing education. In its eleventh year of award distributions, the Spinoso Masters Scholarship has awarded $330,000 to local graduates. 

If giving the gift of education is of interest to you, consider donating to an existing Fund online 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 grants@dekalbccf.org.

Pictured above: 2022 Spinoso Scholarship recipients Jake Bjork, Elena Haliczer, Tyler Hull, and Diana Morales.