2021-2022 Scholarship Announcement
This year, we received three complete scholarship applications from graduating Seniors participating in our program. The scholarship committee --consisting of both ACE Mentors and Members of the Board -- met to evaluate the applications, letters of recommendation, and academic credentials of the scholarship candidates. At our Annual Celebrate ACE Gala on May 18, 2022, we awarded scholarships to each of these three candidates with the intention to distribute $12,000 dollars in scholarship funds to these hard-working and committed students seeking to further their education in the allied ACE disciplines of Architecture, Construction, and Engineering.
Our review committee included ACE Board Member Sean Sheffler and ACE Mentors Tony Ricketts, Jessie Catenacci, John Wattick, and Bethany Yoder. Each of the five reviewers considered the application materials and evaluated them in four categories – academic performance, essay responses about the design and construction industry as well as the affiliate program, and letters of recommendation. The jurors also took into consideration both attendance and years of consistent commitment to the ACE Mentor Program of Western Pennsylvania.
During our review, and in discussion with the board of directors, we acknowledged that this was a very unconventional year for the ACE Mentor Program, and we commend all of the students involved for rising to the challenge of a program that was entirely virtual. Each of our three applicants was equally strong, with very diverse backgrounds and interests, making them very difficult to compare. Each of our awardees will be receiving $4,000 scholarships from the ACE Mentor Program.
Scholarship Winners
Matilda “Tillie” Reed: Taylor Allderdice
Tillie will be studying mechanical engineering at Robert Morris University. During high school, Tillie played on the varsity softball and volleyball teams, participated in the Chain Reaction competition, and is a member of the National Honors Society. This was Tillie’s first year in the ACE program!
Braden Starver: Penn Hills High School
Braden will be attending Morehouse College and intends to major in electrical engineering. Braden served as the vice president of the National Honors Society and is a winner of the school’s Outstanding Technology Award for three straight years. During his time in high school, Braden has been a member of the Student Broadcast Team, the Student Council, Key Club, Interact Club, and has participated in the ALCOSAN Mentor Program. He is a four-year participant in the ACE Mentor Program.
Hannah Charlton: Keystone Oaks High School
Hannah plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in civil and environmental engineering. Hannah has been a member of the Science Club and Spanish Club for all four years of her high school career and has also played varsity volleyball for the past four years, acting as team captain as a senior. Hannah has also been involved in the Environmental Club, Math Club, the National Honors Society, and the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science, as well as the Odyssey of the Mind program, all while maintaining her place on the highest honor roll for four consecutive years. She is a two-year participant in ACE.