Jessica Sapinoso is the winner of Dal-Tile’s 3rd annual Interior Design Scholarship, which is held in conjunction with the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Foundation.

As the grand-prize winner, Sapinoso was presented with a $10,000 scholarship at NeoCon 2014 to continue her education in the field of interior design. Sapinoso’s winning design was on display at NeoCon, where she was present as Dal-Tile's guest of honor. First-, second and third-prize winners each received a $2,500 scholarship, and 10 merit winners received a $1,000 scholarship each, for a total of $27,500 in scholarships awarded.

“On behalf of Dal-Tile and the ASID Foundation, we congratulate Jessica Sapinoso on winning the Dal-Tile Interior Design Scholarship,” said Lori Kirk-Rolley, vice president, brand marketing, Dal-Tile Corp. “Once again, students from around the country rose up to our design challenge, demonstrating that the future of interior design is bright indeed. We feel confident that Jessica, the runners up and merit winners, are once again shining examples of what the next generation of interior designers has to offer.”

This year’s design challenge, titled Operation Renovation, was to transform an outdated space in dire need of a renovation. Renovations and remodels are common in today’s marketplace, and Dal-Tile sought to provide students with a real-world design experience. According to the company, entries were judged on the space’s function, aesthetic and creative use of Dal-Tile's newest product offerings to bring each student’s vision to life.

Sapinoso wasn’t always sure interior design was the path she wanted to take, but she said that winning the Dal-Tile Interior Design Scholarship reaffirmed her passion.

“Education and scholarships are prime objectives of the ASID Foundation, and the Dal-Tile Interior Design Scholarship program enables us to address both while leveraging a valued partnership,” said Randy Fiser, executive vice president and CEO, ASID.

The winners were selected by Dal-Tile with the help of a panel of industry professionals, including Charrisse Johnston, ASID, LEED AP BD+C, Assoc. AIA, Barbara Marini, FASID, IDEC, Erika Templeton, editorial director, Interiors & Sources and Kia Weatherspoon, Allied ASID, Determined by Design. This year’s top scholarship recipients are:

• Grand Prize: $10,000 Scholarship Winner: Jessica Sapinoso, California State University, Sacramento 

• First Prize: $2,500 Scholarship Winner: Amber Richter Ferguson, Student ASID, Southwest University of Visual Arts 

• Second Prize: $2,500 Scholarship Winner: Tracy Cagle Manuel, Louisiana State University 

• Third Prize: $2,500 Scholarship Winner: Caitlin McKay Lindley, student ASID, Utah State University 

Click here to view all of this year's winning entries.