ACE Mentoring Program to be set up in Montgomery County

Directors of the ACE Mentor Program, a non-profit organization that provides vocational and educational guidance for high-school students, are working to bring a chapter of the program to Montgomery County. The directors hope to have the program set up by the end of this month.

ACE stands for "Architecture, Construction and Engineering," and according to the ACE website, the program seeks to "enlighten and motivate students toward architecture, construction, engineering, and related careers [and] provide mentoring opportunities for future designers and constructors." The ACE Mentor Program began in 1994, and a chapter was established in Washington, D.C., three years ago.

ACE is "an informal after-school program to mentor high-school students," said Dr. Bruce Bowman, secretary of the ACE National Board. The program matches students with mentors, who, according to the ACE website, are "successful designers, engineers and contractors, from leading design and construction firms, who volunteer their time and energy."

Currently, ACE directors are working with MCPS and principals in the area in establishing the Montgomery County chapter. "We're looking at them to look for students who are interested in ACE careers," Bowman stated. He added that the program is likely to start with about 10 students from MCPS and will probably begin later this month.

The program has traditionally provided graduating seniors with scholarships if they major in an ACE-related subject in college. "Every graduating senior who has applied has received scholarships," said Bowman. Generally, the scholarships have ranged from $1000 to $5000.

For more information, visit http://www.acementor.org/