Staff Writer
Call them aces in the hole.
The future architects, construction managers and engineers who will fill jobs in Northeast Florida showed their capabilities to today’s industry leaders recently during the ACE Mentor Program of Northeast Florida student presentations and scholarship luncheon at the University of North Florida.
The May 21 event was a culmination of 16 weeks of work from students in programs at both Orange Park High School and Asa Philip Randolph Academies. Several teams from each school undertook projects to plan, design and build a sustainable building for Duval County Public Schools. The plans included details for interior design, structure, fees and time frames.
The ACE Mentor Program of Northeast Florida is a local chapter of the national organization of architecture, construction management and engineering professionals, among others, who work to attract young people to their professions through mentoring.
Local members from across the industry worked with the students on their presentations, teaching them technical aspects and providing overall support as they worked toward deadline day.
“When they’re up there giving their presentations, you almost feel like you would if they were your own children,” said Wendy Rouse of Florida Rock Industries. “You just feel so proud.”
Rouse served as one of the mentors to teams at Asa Philip Randolph, going every Thursday to assist the students in the construction management aspects of their work and to offer overall support.
“They really are great kids and worked hard,” said Rouse.
Seven teams made presentations before their family and industry mentors before judges announced the winners during a luncheon presentation featuring School Board member Martha Barrett.
This year, 16 scholarships worth $17,500 were awarded, said Erika Bjork, an ACE board of director member with Cushman & Wakefield of Florida. Three scholarships were given the first year. Now in its fourth year, the program has awarded a total of $42,000.
“It’s a great day for both the students and all of the volunteers and mentors,” said Thomas Grogan, chief structural and civil engineer and director of quality at Haskell. “It really is a fun day for everyone.”
Grogan served as a co-team leader for participating students at Orange Park High School.
“We need to work with students like these who have an interest in the profession and skills,” he said. “We have to stay with them as they go through the pipeline.”
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