Eleven scholarships totaling $60,000 were presented to regional high school students at the ACE Mentor Program of Greater Philadelphia 18th Annual Scholarship Breakfast, Thursday, May 23 at the Crystal Tea Room in Philadelphia. Scholarships will allow students to continue their education in the architecture, construction, and engineering fields. CLICK ON the names of the students below to show a brief bio.
2019 Scholarship Winners
STEVEN BEIL | Methacton High School
Steven Beil has participated in the ACE Mentor Program since his freshman year at Methacton High School. Within ACE, his favorite opportunities have been to visit various construction sites such as the Comcast 2 Tower, The Gallery Mall Renovation, and the GSK Smart Labs. He plans to study Mechanical Engineering at Northeastern University starting in the fall. In addition to his engineering interests, he is the Viola Section Leader of his high school orchestra and actively serves as the President of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Steven is also a member of the National Honor Society and will be graduating in the top 10 percent of his class. He is incredibly grateful for the experiences ACE has provided him and for the generous scholarship.
“During my four years in ACE, my eyes were opened to the immense amount of opportunities and career paths available in the design and construction industry. These many options, along with the guidance of my mentors, pushed me to discover that I wanted to pursue Mechanical Engineering in college.”
Steven received a $7,500 Merit Scholarship from the ACE Mentor Program of Greater Philadelphia and will be attending Northeastern University for Mechanical Engineering in the Fall 2019.
KAYLA BROWN | Abington Friends School
Kayla Brown found out about the ACE Program through Steppingstones Scholars, and began to participate in summer sessions where she learned about architecture and design. After gaining a design perspective during a summer filled with trips and sketching, she knew that architecture was what she wanted to do. Kayla is currently on Team 15 with JKRP Architects. This summer, she’ll learn how to install solar panels in the Bright Solar Futures Summer Training Program. In the fall, she will attend Drexel University as a student in the 2+4 Architecture Program. Kayla’s goal is to be a licensed architect, emphasizing diverse and inclusive spaces for all as well as creative structures. She hopes that more women of color will join the field of Architecture.
“Being a part of Team 15 with JKRP Architects has been one of my favorite ACE experiences. Thursdays became my favorite day, and not just because of the pizza. I realized the importance of having a female support system on an all-girls team. In a male-dominated field, women need to support one another. My mentors-Black, White, Indian, Asian-became inspiring examples to me in seeing what I could be in the future. ”
Kayla received a $5,000 Scholarship sponsored by CREW Philadelphia and will be attending Drexel University for Architecture in the Fall 2019.
DANIELLE COSTANTINO | Masterman High School
My name is Danielle Costantino, and I was born and raised in Philadelphia. From childhood, I have always been driven by my thirst for knowledge and by the constant motivation from my family to go after my goals. At Penn State University, I will be studying engineering and Spanish. My ambition is to be able to use my talents to improve my community’s infrastructure, as well as other communities that need help around the world.
“ACE solidified my decision on pursuing a career in engineering through showing me the productivity of team collaboration in the workplace and the increase in the amount of women who are also deciding on careers in the design and construction industry.”
Danielle received the $5,000 Paul Chiappardi Memorial Scholarship sponsored by Alderson Engineering and will be attending Penn State University for Mechanical Engineering in the Fall 2019.
DERRICK DOW, II | Roman Catholic High School
Derrick (Drew) Dow, II is a graduating senior earning first honors at Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia, PA and is the son of Celeste and Derrick Dow, Sr. Drew has been an active member of ACE for the past 3 years and has participated in PhilaNOMA for over 6 years. Drew has been honored with numerous awards including, the coveted 2018 Good Citizenship Award from The Union League of Philadelphia, Distinguished Public Service Award from Youth Action Inc. and Pastor’s Honor Roll from ETBC. Drew will attend Hampton University in the fall, majoring in their 5 ½ year Master of Architecture Program.
“Blueprints are the key to success – ACE has taught me that in Architecture as in Life, if you don’t have a blueprint for what you are trying to build you you cannot achieve your goal! ”
Derrick received a $5,000 Scholarship sponsored by the General Building Contractors Association and will be attending Hampton University for Architecture in the Fall 2019.
SAMUEL JOHNS | Central High School
My name is Sam Johns, and I was born in Chicago, Illinois in 2001. My family moved to Philadelphia a year and a half later, and I’ve lived in Mt. Airy for most of my life. I attended middle school at a small Quaker school called Greene Street Friends School before graduating to Central High School, where I’ve spent the last 4 years studying. I love playing sports, especially basketball, soccer and baseball. I played the latter two into my sophomore year, holding starting positions on both JV teams. I am also a big fan math and physics, and plan to pursue civil engineering in college.
“ACE has opened my eyes to the connections between the architecture, construction and engineering fields while also showing me how crucial engineering is to bringing structures into the real world.”
Samuel received the $5,000 Kevin Brown, Jr. Scholarship sponsored by Urban Engineers and will be attending McGill University for Civil Engineering in the Fall 2019 .
MADOLIN MAST | Central High School
I am currently a student at Central High School and will be attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for Architecture in the fall. I am very involved in sports- I play tennis and compete in track and field. In my free time I enjoy painting, drawing, photography, ceramics, woodworking, gardening, traveling, baking, and going on old house tours.
“ACE helped me understand that one of the amazing things about architecture is how the change or restoration of just one building or park can significantly impact a community. Through the help of my mentors, I now realize that I can use my passion for buildings and restoration to positively impact people and their communities. I am confident that my excitement for architecture, which was ignited because of the ACE program, will continue into college and far beyond.”
Madolin received a $5,000 Scholarship sponsored by Brandywine Realty Trust and will be attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for Architecture in the Fall 2019.
CUNG REM MAWI | Central High School
I developed an interest in the field of engineering and learned its importance to society one summer as I watched day and night, thousands of vehicles drive by my family’s car on our trip across the country. The complex system of arteries I saw allowed me to reflect on the roads that I have traveled on in my life; from the unpaved, muddy paths I walked on barefoot, to the wide, asphalt-covered highways that stretch for thousands of miles, I was able to remember every single path. The different types of roads that I remember allowed me to realize my goal of attaining the expertise I need in order to help build bridges and highways in different corners of the world where accomplishing such simple a task as getting to school can be difficult.
“The ACE Mentor Program gave me an opportunity to observe how professionals in various fields work together to accomplish a goal. From both my mentors and my peers, I have learned the importance of working together with team members and listening to every idea that each individual has to offer in order to get the best of results in a final design.”
Cung received the $5,000 Fred Chiarlanza Scholarship sponsored by Employing Bricklayers Association + Delaware Valley Masonry Institute and will be attending Temple University for Civil Engineering in the Fall 2019.
BENJAMIN McDONALD | Pottsgrove High School
My name is Benjamin McDonald and I live in Sanatoga, Pennsylvania. I am 18 years old and will be graduating from Pottsgrove High School in June. I ranked in the top 10 of my class for each year of high school. I have played the violin for the past ten years and, over the course of that time, I performed in twenty concerts. I participated in several clubs, including Robotics Club, Environmental Club, Spark the Wave (community service), and of course, ACE Mentoring. I plan to study electrical or environmental engineering at Bucknell University in Lewisburg in the fall.
“ACE Mentoring has provided me with the experience and insight that demonstrates the complexity and appeal of the design and construction industry. Through my time in the program, my perception of the industry has evolved, as has my confidence in my future career path as an engineer.”
Benjamin received a $5,000 Scholarship sponsored by Torcon Construction and will be attending Bucknell University for Engineering in the Fall 2019.
JOSEPH MONTAGNA | Lansdale Catholic High School
My name is Joe Montagna. I am graduating from Lansdale Catholic High School in June 2019. I live in Lansdale, PA with my parents and my three younger brothers. From a young age I have always enjoyed playing and watching sports. I am a big Philadelphia Sports Fan. I have played soccer, basketball, football, volleyball and swam, but baseball has always been my favorite sport to play. I have been playing since I was 5 years old and the position that I play is catcher. It has been a very big part of my life and groomed me into the man that I am today. As I get ready to graduate, I am excited to begin the next phase of my life at Penn State University Park.
“The real-world experience presented by the industry professionals throughout the ACE mentor program opened my eyes to different career paths and influenced my decision to study Architectural Engineering.”
Joseph received the $5,000 Selim Lunden, PE Memorial Scholarship sponsored by O’Donnell & Naccarato and will be attending Penn State University Park for Architectural Engineering in the Fall 2019.
AVERY MOULTRIE | B. Reed Henderson High School
Born in Ohio, Avery Moultrie attended elementary and middle school in Virginia before moving to West Chester as a freshman in highs school. She currently attends B. Reed Henderson High School where she will graduate with the Class of 2019. Engineering courses in her freshman through junior years played to her strong analytical and math skills, but it was her attendance at a summer architecture program at Carnegie Mellon University that really developed her passion for a more artistic career path. Soon after, Avery joined ACE looking for insight into the design process and opportunities to use her creative abilities.
“ACE introduced me to design professionals that solidified my decision to pursue Architecture.”
Avery received a $7,500 Merit Scholarship from the ACE Mentor Program of Greater Philadelphia and will be attending Carnegie Mellon University for Architecture in the Fall 2019.
ZACHARY WINTON | Calvary Christian Academy
Zach Winton is from Jenkintown, PA and will be graduating with honors from Calvary Christian Academy. Zach was a member of his high school jazz and concert bands, served on student government, played for the varsity soccer and baseball teams, and served as a mentor for an elementary student. He’s also been an active member of his church, serving on the worship team and as a Sunday School teacher. Zach’s developing interest in architecture was sparked by his grandfather who first exposed him to it as a young boy. Zach is excited to begin the B.Arch program at Jefferson University in the fall.
“ACE has further inspired me to pursue my passion as an aspiring architect and made me come to recognize how much the world needs people who love the design and construction industries.”
Zachary received a $5,000 Scholarship sponsored by the Carpenters’ Company of the City and County of Philadelphia and will be attending Jefferson University for Architecture in the Fall 2019.
