For 20 years around Puget Sound, the ACE Mentor Program of Washington has been inspiring students to careers in architecture, engineering, and construction! The application for the 2022-2023 program is NOW OPEN! Applications for both students and mentors are being accepted until mid-October, and the program will kick-off the last week of October with the first official team meetings the first week of November. ACE anticipates teams in Seattle, Bellevue, and Tacoma, as well as a virtual team that could accommodate Washington students from more geographically diverse locations.

About Us

Since 2001, the ACE Mentor Program of Washington has helped 3,500 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 $1,121,000 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.

Presentations in 2020 and 2021 were pre-recorded, live-streamed in a virtual webcast series, and are now available permanently for viewing on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdSt6klJtQqq53mt6lA33bw

The 2022 Presentation Nights were held in person in May 2022. One event, featuring our all-virtual team, was a hybrid event, and can also viewed on our YouTube page. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nyRT5rwGKk&t=432s

You can also download the program for the event here:
See PROGRAM for event:
Download pdf

Student Scholarships

The ACE Mentor Program of Washington has a strong student scholarship program which has awarded a total of $1,121,000 since its inception in Washington state in 2001. Passing the $1 million mark is a magnificent milestone and one we are incredibly proud of!

Scholarship applicants are recognized at a reception in the spring. The 2020 and 2021 events were virtual events and are available on our YouTube page for viewing.

The 2022 event was held in-person on June 8, where 14 local seniors were awarded $137,000 in scholarships. Congratulations to these students!

Michael Birkhead, of Bainbridge High School, received the $2,500 Venture General Contracting Award and a $5,500 ACE Award, for a total award of $8,000. Michael plans to study architecture at Montana State University.

Andrés Cabrera, of Inglemoor High School, received the $5,000 ACEC-Washington Award, the $5,000 Magnusson Klemencic Associates Award, and a $5,000 ACE Award, for a total award of $15,000. Andrés plans to study either civil engineering or architecture at Brigham Young University. Andrés participated in ACE for all four years of his high school experience.

Anthony Cabrera, of O’Dea High School, received the $5,000 Electric League of the Pacific Northwest Award, the $2,500 Stantec Award, and a $500 ACE Award, for a total award of $8,000. Anthony plans to study electrical engineering at Montana State University. Anthony participated in ACE for all four years of his high school experience.

Lynne Chirillo, of Skyline High School, received the $2,500 CallisonRTKL Award, the $2,500 Skanska Award, and a $7,000 ACE Award, for a total award of $12,000. Lynne plans to study architecture at California Polytechnic State University.

Ian Clark, of Bellevue High School, received the $5,000 Hargis Award and a $3,000 ACE Award, for a total award of $8,000. Ian plans to study mechanical engineering at the University of Arizona.

Nia Fletcher, of Holy Names Academy, received the $2,500 LMN Architects Award, the $2,500 OAC Services Award, and a $10,000 ACE Award, for a total award of $15,000. Nia plans to study architecture at Tulane University.

Zoe Klement, of Ingraham High School, received the $2,500 Cornerstone General Contractors Award and a $5,500 ACE Award, for a total award of $8,000. Zoe plans to study architecture at California Polytechnic State University.

Coral Leon, of Edmonds-Woodway High School, received the $2,500 Lease Crutcher Lewis Award and a $5,500 ACE Award, for a total award of $8,000. Coral will begin her studies at Shoreline Community College with a plan to transfer elsewhere to study architecture.

Elise Lesniak, of Archbishop Murphy High School, received the $5,000 Mackenzie Award and a $3,000 ACE Award, for a total award of $8,000. Elise plans to study architecture at the University of Idaho. Elise was unable to attend due to a previously arranged scheduling conflict, so she sent in video remarks which were shared with the crowd.

Isabella Mansfield, of Roosevelt High School, received the $2,500 BNBuilders Award and a $5,500 ACE Award, for a total award of $8,000. Bella plans to study architecture at Syracuse University.

Mason Niemeyer, of Inglemoor High School, received the $5,000 Design Build Institute of America Northwest Chapter Award and a $3,000 ACE Award, for a total award of $8,000. Mason plans to study engineering at the University of Washington – he isn’t sure what type yet, as he is interested in many kinds of engineering!

Hayden Ramberg, of North Creek High School, received the $2,500 Mortenson Award and a $5,500 ACE Award, for a total award of $8,000. Hayden plans to study architecture at Arizona State University.

Emma Roeller, of Ingraham High School, received the $2,500 Sellen Construction Award, the $2,500 Seneca Group Award, and a $10,000 ACE Award, for a total award of $15,000. Emma plans to study city and regional planning at California Polytechnic State University.

Maraki Zemeadim, of Archbishop Murphy High School, received an $8,000 ACE Award. Maraki plans to study interior design at Seattle Pacific University.

To see the program from the ACE 20th Anniversary and Scholarship Event:
Download Event Program

Additionally, our informational looping slideshow is available for viewing on our YouTube page. It includes photos from our history, a timeline, quotes from supporters, recognition of our mentors and sponsors, and much more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tv_A6rCiMtI

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 $250.00. Your support will insure 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.