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Over 400 architecture, construction and engineering professionals gathered last week at the Portland Art Museum to raise money for one of the top student mentorship programs in Oregon.

The fundraiser was not just an opportunity for attendees to invest in the ACE Mentor Program of Oregon, but also celebrate its efforts to build up local high school students pursuing careers in the construction industry. Student participants and their mentors spoke about their experiences in the program.

鈥淚t’s been remarkable seeing ACE through each stage as a student, mentor and now a lead mentor,鈥� said Abby Cridland, a LEED Professional interior designer with Hennebery Eddy Architects. 鈥淚 learn a lot from my students, and I appreciate the many firms today who continue to support the ACE Mentor Program; it makes a big difference.鈥�

The ACE Mentor Program is a national effort to connect high school students interested in architecture, construction or engineering with professionals in those fields. It also provides college scholarships for some of those students.

The Oregon chapter was founded in 2006 and first awarded college scholarships in 2007. The Portland-based chapter now features more than 120 volunteer mentors and serves over 150 metro-area students annually.

Last week, four past participants took to the stage to share their experiences with the program, as well as where they are today. All four went to the 2018 ACE Summer Camp as juniors; the Andersen Construction Foundation paid their way.

鈥淚 heard about ACE through a person who came in and spoke about ACE in one of my woodshop classes,鈥� Cleveland High School senior Coleman Neher told the audience. 鈥淚’ve been interested in construction and engineering for a while now 鈥� sorry to the architects out there. And I wanted to learn more about those fields and get to know what it’s like to work in those fields, and this was a great way to dip my toes in the water.鈥�

Keynote speaker Vince Granato, chief operating officer for the Port of Portland, shared his own experience with mentorship as a young person and said he wished there had been a program like the ACE Mentor Program when he was in high school.

鈥淚’ve been with the port for 31 years and you don’t get there on your own,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e all have mentors in our careers, and I still meet with my mentor who hired me 31 years ago. I still seek his guidance, so it’s a really important role that we all can play.鈥�

In part because of mentorship opportunities, Granato added, today’s program participants are more advanced than their counterparts of a generation ago.

鈥淚 urge all students sitting here to take advantage of the advantage in front of you,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 wish I had had that opportunity.鈥�