Warrensville Heights High School’s ACE Mentorship Program members took 1st place for their design concept and presentation at the annual ACE Presentation Banquet held on April 25, 2018 at Windows on the River. The WHHS Team’s surpassed eight other schools with their design based on the theme, “Vital Neighborhoods.” The design revolved around new construction of a secondary campus that encompasses a Maker Space/Business Incubator called the “T.O.R.N.A.D.O. Center”. https://goo.gl/NzNkUsACE is a mentoring program that introduces high school scholars to careers in architecture, construction management and engineering. More than 25 WHHS scholars currently participate. Working with a practicing professional, the scholars visit offices, job sites, and other locations where they discuss industry trends and issues. The professionals mentor the scholars throughout their participation in the program and in some instances guide them as they perform tasks that mirror what a professional would do in the field. In the process, scholars learn how abstract concepts are transformed into building structures.
“Our mentors truly drive the ACE Program,” said Nevin Jenkins, WHHS ACE advisor. “One of our former woman scholars is now working in the trades and attending Tri-C because of the advice provided by Ariane Kirkpatrick, WHHS graduate and CEO of the AKA Team,” said Mr. Jenkins about the value of the program. Other ACE Mentors serving WHHS represent Whiting-Turner, Stantec, Infinity Construction, and Rid-All.
Also at the banquet, seniors William and Ti'Naja were awarded $1,000 scholarships from University Hospitals. William plans to attend Kent State University in the fall to study Architecture. Ti'Naja will study either nursing or architecture. She is in the process of determining wha
t college she will attend.
This was WHHS’s third year participating in the program. During the 2016-2017 school year, the high school’s team earned Honorable Mention for their presentation about Healthy Connections.
The ACE program was recognized at the Warrensville Heights City Council Meeting on May 1, 2018.
Pictured left to right Ariane Kirkpatrick, lead ACE mentor from the AKA Team, Ti’Naja, William, WHCSD Supt. Donald Jolly II, and WHHS ACEadvisor Nevin Jenkins.