Indianapolis
About Us
The ACE Mentor Program is a unique partnership among schools and Universities architects, engineers, interior designers, construction managers, and related organizations that give design and construction professionals the opportunity to reach out to interested high school students and encourage them, through mentoring and scholarships to pursue careers in the built industry.
In the ACE sessions, the students meet with building industry professionals who fulfill the role of mentors guiding the students through the facets of the design and construction process. The objective of the sessions is for the students to learn basic concepts about the planning and design of the built environment, to open their eyes to the world at work around them, and to start asking about things they see in buildings, on bridges, on the streets and anywhere else in their environment.
This exciting new program took flight in Indiana in 2005 when 15 firms providing services for the New Indianapolis Airport banded together to make the program a reality. Beginning with just two schools, nineteen students, and 32 mentors; the program has flourished into a highly sought after program within Central Indiana. The 2008-2009 ACE Mentor Program of Indiana boasted programs at four high schools with 67 graduating ACE students and 58 active mentors. Furthermore, the program has increased the dollar value of scholarships awarded by 120% -- jetting from $20,00 in 2006 to $44,000 in 2009.
Our Team Projects
The capstone project for the ACE students this past year was a new facility for Ronald McDonald House. Armed with program information and the support of their mentors, the students set forth on designing their vision of a new Ronald McDonald House. The designs of the students were presented at the 2009 Annual Scholarship Dinner in front of over 320 industry professionals, teachers, parents and friends. The team’s renderings are featured below.
2009-2009 Program Data
69 Students
23 Seniors, 23 Juniors, 14 Sophmores, 4 Freshmen
59 Boys, 8 Girls
13 Scholarship recipients receiving $44,000 in scholarships
58 Mentors from 32 firms
3,000+ hours of mentoring
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Ismael Garcia received an ACE scholarship in 2006 and went on to intern with Shrewsberry immediately upon graduating from Northwest High School. Ismael states, “This scholarship has marked my life forever. I will always have you in my mind because of your great support. I am sure that during my life at University I will be a top student, and you will never think that you have chosen the wrong recipient. Furthermore, after I finish my education and become stable economically, I will help you to open the way to other students as you are doing with me.” Ismael is currently a senior at IUPUI majoring in Construction Management Technology.
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Justin Matteson received an ACE scholarship in 2006 and went on to intern with Turner Construction Company immediately upon graduation. A few weeks into his internship, Justin traveled to Ft. Leonard Wood, MO where he completed Basic Training for the Indiana Army National Guard. Upon return from Basic Training, Justin began pursing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Construction Management Technology at IUPUI. Justin spent the summer of 2007 and 2008 interning on the renovation of his alma mater, George Washington Community School. Justin is currently a senior at IUPUI.
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Brittany Weathers received an ACE Scholarship in 2007 and went on to intern with Shrewsberry immediately after graduating from Arsenal Technical High School. Brittany is currently pursuing a double major in Physics at the University of Indianapolis, and Mechanical Engineering at IUPUI. Brittany, a junior, is in the making to becoming the first female to graduate from the dual degree program. Brittany has also been recently asked to join the ACE Mentor Program of Indiana Board so as to bring a student’s perspective to program’s direction.
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Ricky Grogan received an ACE scholarship in 2008 and is now in his second year studying engineering at Purdue. He says, “ACE has not only taught me a lot about the construction industry and construction management; it has also helped me financially. I am very grateful for what everyone has done to make ACE what it is and I appreciate everyone reaching back to help me. Thanks to ACE I have the opportunity to keep going toward my goal of becoming a construction manager/engineer. One day, I hope I have the opportunity to help students the same way that my mentors have helped me.” Ricky is a Decatur Central graduate.
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Miguel Ramirez began the ACE program at George Washington Community School when he was just a sophomore. His commitment to the program and steadfast desire to become an architect has earned him three scholarships from the ACE Mentor Program of Indiana, as well as a scholarship from the ACE Mentor Program of America. Miguel is currently a Freshman at Ball State University. Miguel said, “the ACE Mentor Program is what I will miss most about high school. The mentors were a great influence on me, pushing me to work hard and fight toward getting to Ball State. Thanks to ACE, my eyes are open and I see that an architect is something I can become.
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Brett Conn had an incredible tenure at Pike High School. As evidence of this, Brett garnered over $200,000 in scholarship offers and awards, including an ACE Mentor Scholarship and a 100 Black Men Beautillion Scholarship. Brett is currently a freshman at Norfolk State University where he anticipates declaring Engineering as his major.
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Participate in ACE!
If you’d like to experience ACE’s challenges, opportunities and rewards for yourself, just contact the ACE leader listed in the upper right-hand corner of this page.
