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May 16, 2017

ACE 22nd Annual Scholarship Luncheon

The ACE Mentor Program is the fastest-growing high school mentoring program focusing on careers in the integrated construction industry. It was founded by the principals of leading design and construction firms, to introduce high school students to career opportunities in the industry. The luncheon is an annual fundraising event for the ACE Scholarship program which awards distinguished graduates of the program who are going on to college to study Architecture, Construction or Engineering.

Nearly 500 leading architecture, construction and engineering professionals attended the event in support of ACE Mentor Program’s mission, which aims to motivate high school students to pursue careers in the design and construction industry by providing mentoring and scholarship opportunities.

The luncheon raised over $500,000 to support the organization’s program and scholarship awards. This year four of the six high school seniors on DDC’s ACE Team 8 were awarded scholarships for college. Jonathan Joa received the E-J Electric Installation Co. Scholarship Award of $2,000. David Huang received the KSW Mechanical LLC Scholarship Award of $2,000. Waseer Mohamed received the Judlau Contracting, Inc. Scholarship Award of $2,000. Matthew Indar received the Jaros, Baum & Bolles Scholarship Award of $5,000.

“The ACE Mentor program is a wonderful resource for educating the future generation of engineers and construction professionals.,” said DDC Commissioner Feniosky Peña-Mora. “I am excited to see what the new generation, of all backgrounds, of designers and engineers will bring to the table.”

“Each luncheon is special because it celebrates the future leaders of our industry. This year was particularly moving for me as it was my last luncheon as Chairman.  We are living in a time when infrastructure improvements are a necessity, innovation is taking place minute-by-minute and we need bright leaders to rise to the challenge.  These students will meet this challenge – they attended weekly meetings with ACE Mentors, demonstrating that they are eager to learn and to be a part of this industry.  In turn, industry leaders have shown dedication to the future by breaking the fundraising record for this event.” - Milo E. Riverso, Ph.D., P.E., CCM, President and CEO, STV; Chairman, ACE Mentor Program of Greater New York, Inc.

Students at MS209
ACE Team 8 mentors and students celebrate a successful season and the scholarships awarded to four graduating senior members of the team.
Twenty students from Hamilton Grange Middle School
Twenty students from Hamilton Grange Middle School participated in the six-week Young Engineers Program