Seattle, WA

ACE 2023-2024

Registration for the 2023-2024 program is underway! We have been accepting applications since August and are overwhelmed at the response! Recruitment has been successful and most of our ACE teams are full! We still have a few Seattle and Tacoma spots. Our Bellevue teams are on a waitlist. Seniors and returning students are given priority placement into ACE this year.

Our program will have eight Seattle teams, three Bellevue teams, two Tacoma teams, and one fully virtual team this year. Any waitlisted student could consider joining the virtual team. These teams aim to accommodate more than 400 Puget Sound students for 2023-2024!

Anyone interested is encouraged to apply and we will accommodate as many students as possible! Registration is at app.acementor.org.

Mark your calendars! All students who are registered and placed on a team are invited to attend one of our three Kickoff Events:

SEATTLE
October 30
6:30-8:00 pm
Roosevelt HS Commons
1410 NE 66th St.
Seattle

TACOMA
November 1
5:30-7:00 pm
Environmental Learning Center @ SAMI
5715 Animal Rd
Tacoma

BELLEVUE
November 2
6:00-7:30 pm
Northshore Concert Hall @ Inglemoor
15500 Simonds Rd NE
Kenmore

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 $1,248,500 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.

The program handouts for our 2023 presentation events can be downloaded on the Events tab on this page.

Student Scholarships

The ACE Mentor Program of Washington has a strong student scholarship program which has awarded a total of $1,248,500 since its inception in Washington state in 2001. Passing the $1 million mark is a magnificent milestone and one we are incredibly proud of!

We are pleased to announce the 14 recipients of 2023 ACE scholarships, which were recognized at our Industry Leaders Reception on Tuesday, June 13. Photos of the event are on our Facebook and Instagram pages. The winners are as follows:

Boden Kaminski-Willard of Roosevelt High School received the $2,500 Skanska Award and a $6,500 ACE Award, for a total award of $9,000. Boden plans to study architectural engineering at University of Colorado at Boulder. Paul Tosello of Skanska and Sarah Holstedt of ACE presented Boden with his awards.

Emily Van of TAF@Saghalie received the $5,000 DBIA-Northwest Award, a $2,500 Arcadis Award, and a $4,500 ACE Award, for a total award of $12,000. Emily will attend University of Washington to pursue a dual degree of architecture and construction management. Joshua Thomson of DBIA-NW, Lucy Baraquio of Arcadis, and Pete Maslenikov of ACE presented Emily with her awards.

Emma McCook of Roosevelt High School received the $2,500 OAC Services Award and a $6,500 ACE Award, for a total award of $9,000. Emma will attend University of Bath in the U.K. to study architecture. Solaiman Salahi of OAC Services and Sarah Holstedt of ACE presented Emma with her awards.

Gabriella Korb-Nice of Lincoln High School in Seattle received the $2,500 Stantec Award and a $5,000 ACE Award, for a total award of $7,500. Ella will attend the United States Naval Academy and plans to study engineering. Maureen Jackson of Stantec and Bill Christopher of ACE presented Ella with her awards.

Hailey Pittiglio of Holy Names Academy received the $5,000 Mackenzie Award, a $2,500 Seneca Group Award, and a $4,500 ACE Award, for a total award of $12,000. Hailey will attend Tulane University to study architecture. Michael Chen of Mackenzie, Deb Hudacek of Seneca Group, and Pete Maslenikov of ACE presented Hailey with her awards.

Kelsey Mackenzie of Inglemoor High School received the $2,500 GLY Construction Award and a $6,500 ACE Award, for a total award of $9,000. Kelsey plans to attend Cal Poly to study architecture. Tess Wakasugi-Don of GLY and Sarah Holstedt of ACE presented Kelsey with her awards.

Lucca Castillo of Cleveland STEM High School received the $2,500 Sellen Community Foundation Award and a $5,000 ACE Award, for a total award of $7,500. Lucca plans to study architecture at the University of Washington. Kalin Magruder of Sellen and Bill Christopher of ACE presented Lucca with his awards.

Mathangi Sriram of North Creek High School received the $2,500 Mortenson Award and a $6,500 ACE Award, for a total award of $9,000. Matu will attend Cornell University to study architecture. Paige Adkinson and Bryan Maggio of Mortenson, as well as Sarah Holdstedt of ACE, presented Matu with her awards.

Nicole Chambliss of Inglemoor High School received the $5,000 Magnusson Klemencic Associates Award, the $5,000 Structural Engineers Foundation of Washington Award, and a $2,000 ACE Award, for a total award of $12,000. Nicole will attend Coly Poly to study civil/structural engineering. Andy Fry of MKA, Harb Ahten of SEFW, and Pete Maslenikov of ACE presented Nicole with her awards.

Noah Beckford of Henry M. Jackson High School received a $5,000 ACEC-Washington Award, a $2,500 Cornerstone General Contractors Award, and a $1,500 ACE Award, for a total award of $9,000. Noah will attend University of Washington to study civil engineering. Van Collins of ACEC and Sarah Holstedt of ACE presented Noah with his awards.

Piper Newman of Holy Names Academy received a $5,000 ACEC-Washington Award, a $2,500 BNBuilders Award, and a $1,500 ACE Award, for a total award of $9,000. Piper will attend University of Colorado at Boulder to study civil engineering, with an environmental focus. Van Collins of ACEC, Dan Huber of BNB, and Sarah Holstedt of ACE presented Piper with her awards.

Quincy Purcell of Roosevelt High School received the $5,000 Hargis Award and a $2,500 ACE Award for a total award of $7,500. Quincy plans to study mechanical engineering at Case-Western Reserve University. Brendon Inman of Hargis and Bill Christopher of ACE presented Quincy with his awards.

Sabrina Li of Roosevelt High School received the $2,500 LMN Architects Award and a $5,000 ACE Award, for a total award of $7,500. Sabrina plans to study architecture at the University of Washington. Chris Martin of LMN and Bill Christopher of ACE presented Sabrina with her awards.

Yoshi Takeno of Roosevelt High School received the $2,500 Hoffman Construction Award and a $5,000 ACE Award, for a total award of $7,500. Yoshi plans to study civil engineering (focusing on urban and transportation planning) at the University of Washington. Bill Christopher of ACE presented Yoshi with his awards.

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.

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.

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.

Contacts

Angela Gottula

Executive Director
ACE Mentor Program of Washington
PO Box 6248
Edmonds, WA  98026
(p)425-750-4522

Pete Maslenikov
President
Skanska USA
221 Yale Avenue N #400
Seattle, WA 98109
(p) 206-726-8000

Sarah Holstedt
Vice President
CallisonRTKL
1420 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2400
Seattle, WA 98101
(p) 206-623-4646

Deb Hudacek
Vice President
Seneca Group
1191 2nd Avenue, Suite 1500
Seattle, WA 98101

Brad Strandquist
Vice President
Magnusson Klemencic Associates
1301 Fifth Avenue, Suite 3200
Seattle, WA 98101
(p) 206-292-1200

Mentors and Sponsors

Thanks to our many mentoring firms that helped us this past year in making our affiliate such a success.
View our list of mentoring firms.

Board of Directors

Our board is comprised of local industry leaders who make a significant contribution to our chapter. We are grateful for their continuing support.
View our board members.

More Information

Bylaws
Articles of Incorporation
EIN: 20-2238314

Participate in ACE!

If you’d like to experience ACE’s challenges, opportunities and rewards for yourself, contact us today!