ACE 2023-2024

The 2023-2024 ACE program has come to a close! This year our numbers surpassed pre-pandemic levels and 360+ students completed the program on eight Seattle teams, four Bellevue teams, two Tacoma teams, and one fully virtual team. Wow!

Anyone interested in ACE is encouraged to join our e-mail list to be informed when registration will open in the fall for the 2024-2025 school year.

In the meantime, please check our online Opportunities Matrix for information about summer camps, internships, scholarships, industry events, and more. We keep this listing updated with information for students, from the middle-school level to alumni. Some opportunities are for ACE students, while others are for any student interested in the building industry or STEM activities.

We’d like to offer a very special thank you to the 30+ individuals who participated in the “ACE Mentors for Will” virtual blood drive with Bloodworks Northwest, in support of an ACE student who was diagnosed with leukemia this past spring. Students, mentors, friends, and supporters contributed at donation centers all around Puget Sound and we could not be more appreciative. Thank you.

About Us

Since 2001, the ACE Mentor Program of Washington has helped 4,000+ students learn all about the architecture, engineering, and construction professions. Are you fascinated by the art of architecture? Are you interested in how buildings withstand earthquakes? Are you intrigued by sustainable “green” building design? Are you wondering how a building can start out as an idea and become reality? Join the ACE program! Our program is free to students, thanks to donations from local firms, mentors, parents, and other supporters. To date, we have also given $1,382,500 in scholarships to students who pursued A/E/C fields at the university level. During the ACE Mentor Program, teams visit major construction sites, complete projects, and meet bi-monthly at mentor firm offices. Qualifying high school seniors are awarded scholarships and many students remain in touch with industry professionals for continued mentoring with career choices, college and internship applications, and future employment opportunities.

Find us on social media! Our pages have exciting industry links, local ACE events, program information, and details on what our teams are up to! Find us at www.facebook.com/SeattleACE, follow us on Instagram @acementorseattle, and connect with us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/seattleace/.

Project Presentations

Each year the teams are assigned a project. Students and their mentors work diligently preparing for the Final Presentation Night where each team showcases their year-long effort. Over the years, team projects have included a new basketball arena for the Sonics, community centers in South Lake Union, a ski lodge on Steven’s Pass, a new Seattle Aquarium, high-rise towers on Lake Washington, and many more.
We are back to meeting in person for our presentation events, but student presentations from 2020, 2021, and 2022 are available for viewing on our YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/@acementorwashington5169.

Student Scholarships

The ACE Mentor Program of Washington has a strong student scholarship program which has awarded a total of $1,382,500 since its inception in Washington state in 2001. Passing the $1 million mark is a magnificent milestone and one we are incredibly proud of! Seniors who have participated in ACE for at least one year and plan to pursue an ACE-related field in college are eligible to apply for an ACE scholarship.

The 2020 and 2021 scholarship events were virtual and can be viewed on our YouTube page. Additionally, the ACE slideshow from our 20th Anniversary celebration in 2022 is also on YouTube and includes photos from our history, a timeline, quotes from supporters, recognition of our mentors and sponsors, and much more. Visit our YouTube site here: https://www.youtube.com/@acementorwashington5169. The program handouts for the 2022 and 2023 scholarships events can be downloaded on the Events tab on this page.

Congratulations to the 14 students who were recognized on June 3 as recipients of ACE scholarships for the 2023-2024 program:

Alexandra Borodin of Roosevelt High School will study architecture at Barnard College next year. She received a $2,500 Arcadis Award and a $5,500 ACE Award, for a total award of $8,000.

Amari Katagiri, a graduate of Henry M. Jackson High School, will study structural engineering at University of California Irvine in the fall. Amari received the $5,000 Structural Engineers Foundation of Washington Award and a $3,000 ACE Award, for a total award of $8,000.

Anhelina Melnychuk graduated from Kent-Meridian High School and will attend University of Washington to study architecture in the fall. Anhelina received the $2,500 OAC Services Award and a $5,500 ACE Award, for a total award of $8,000.

Ashley Mendoza from the Tacoma School of the Arts will study construction management at the University of Washington next year. Ashley was eligible to participate in a unique partnership ACE has with the UW CM Department. She received a $4,000 ACE Award and a $4,000 tuition credit to the UW, for a total award of $8,000.

Brianna Ong from Redmond High School is planning to study both construction management and computer engineering at the University of Washington next year. She received the $5,000 Design Build Institute of America, Northwest Chapter Award and a $5,000 ACE Award, for a total award of $10,000.

Elinor Assadi, a graduate from University Preparatory School, will study mechanical engineering at Cornell University next year. She received a $5,000 Mackenzie Award, the $2,500 Sellen Community Foundation Award, and a $6,500 ACE Award, for a total award of $14,000. Elinor participated in ACE for all four years of her high school career.

Erisa Baba of Lake Washington High School will attend Whitman College next year to study both civil engineering and physics. She received the $5,000 ACEC-Washington Award, a $2,500 Pfizer Award, and a $2,500 ACE Award, for a total award of $10,000.

West Seattle graduate Eva Schneider will attend Cal Poly in Pomona next year to student architecture. She received the $2,500 GLY Construction Award and a $5,500 ACE Award, for a total award of $8,000.

A graduate of Holy Names Academy, Fiona Mullen will study civil engineering at Gonzaga University next year. She received a $2,500 Stantec Award and $7,500 ACE Award, for a total award of $10,000.

Kelly Leong of Inglemoor High School plans to attend University of Washington to student architecture next year. Kelly received the $2,500 Mortenson Award and a $5,500 ACE Award, for a total award of $8,000.

Madison Kulinski, a graduate of Interlake High School, plans to study mechanical engineering at the University of Wisconsin next year. She received a $5,000 Hargis Award, $2,500 Cornerstone General Contractors Award, and $2,500 ACE Award, for a total award of $10,000.

Micah Cholerton, a graduate of Ballard High School, will attend Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo next year to study architecture. He received the $2,500 Hoffman Construction Award and a $5,500 ACE Award, for a total award of $8,000.

Rachel Bender graduated from Roosevelt High School and is excited to study architecture at Cornell University next year. Rachel received a $2,500 LMN Architects Award, $2,500 Skanska Award, and $5,000 ACE Award, for a total award of $10,000. Rachel participated in ACE for all four years of her high school career.

Selome Muruts from Seattle Preparatory Academy will attend the University of Washington to study civil engineering in the fall. Selome received a $5,000 Magnusson Klemencic Associates Award, a $2,500 Seneca Group Award, and a $6,500 ACE Award, for a total award of $14,000.

Women in Engineering Endowment

Support the ACE Mentor Program

DONATE today and help ACE MENTOR OF WASHINGTON continue to offer this vibrant program FREE OF CHARGE, to all interested students. The average cost of the program per student, per year is $295. Your support will ensure program viability and enhance the future of the industry. It’s easy! Click on the DONATE button to the right of this page for a secure link via PAYPAL. Thank you for supporting the fastest growing mentoring programs in the building industry.