ACE Mentor Program awards $82,000 in scholarships

Real Estate Weekly, June 12, 2002

At its annual luncheon on May 9 at the Union League Club benefiting the Inner-City Scholarship Fund, the ACE (architects, constructors, engineers) Mentor Program, dedicated to providing career direction to young people, announced 54 four-year scholarships totaling $82,000 this year, an increase of 10% over last year, to New York City high school students.

Three students received top prices of $5,000 each. The Mel Feinstein Scholarship went to Steven Klein, from Kellenberg Memorial High School. The prize, presented by Anita Feinstein, honors the memory of her husband, Mel Feinstein, former manager of administration, engineering and construction on Randall's Island for MTA Bridges and Tunnels. Klein will attend RPI and major in architecture.

The Rino M. "Ray" Monti Scholarship went to Jennika Suero, from Monsignor Scanlan High School. Carol Monti-Baris presented the prize in memory of her father, Ray Monti, an ACE founder who worked for most of his career for the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. Suero will attend Duke University and major in civil engineering.

Helen Young, from LaGuardia High School, won the McGraw-Hill Companies scholarship. In addition to funding this scholarship, McGraw-Hill provides special support to ACE nationwide. Young will study electrical engineering in a program that includes two years at either Columbia University or Dartmouth College.

Richard T. Anderson, president of the New York Building Congress, presented two $3,000 scholarships. The Kenneth Holden Award was given to Andrew Christiansen, from Archbishop Stepinac High School, and the Michael Burton Award went to Danalys Guzman from Lehrman High School.

Honorees at the luncheon included three of New York City's leaders representing both the public and private sectors: Frank Sciame, president, F.J. Sciame Construction Co.; Dr. George Campbell, president, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art; and David Peraza, vice president, Thornton-Tomasetti Engineers.

Luncheon chairperson Edward J. O'Shea, vice president, property management, the Chase Manhattan Bank, addressed the sold-out luncheon, along with scholarship recipients and other notables of the ACE and business communities.

"Now in its seventh year, the ACE Scholarship Fund is proving its worth as an important program for motivating minority students to pursue higher education and ACE careers," O'Shea noted. "Our rigorous application process and substantial rewards attract high quality students who will carry on the legacy of their mentors and help assure a bright future for our profession."