2008/09
The ACE Mentor Program of Iowa Awards Banquet was held at the Des Moines Art Center on March 24, 2009 and recognized the efforts of 68 students who participated in the program, as well as the 28 mentors from area companies.
For the 2008/09 school year, the students were assigned a project to complete. They formed groups to design, engineer and prepare construction planning services for the city-owned Nollen Plaza in downtown Des Moines.
The project requirements included the following:
Demolition of the existing plaza and all its components (concrete walks, fountain, lighting, landscaping, etc) in order to make way for an improved plaza design which will meet the requirements listed below. Only the Claes Oldenburg sculpture ‘Crusoe Umbrella’ will remain (although you may relocate it). The city would like to see a new design and proposal to accommodate public events such as lunch crowds, starting and finishing point for races (Des Moines Marathon, Dam to Dam), track and field demonstrations during the Drake Relays, along with outdoor concerts in the summer (Belin String Ensemble). The City would like a plaza design that better accommodates these special activities as well as be a place to enjoy every day.
The student groups were divided into teams for the architectural, engineering (civil, structural, mechanical/electrical), and construction services. Each team presented their proposal using power point to an audience of over 160 people at the Awards Banquet. Their creativity, professionalism, organization and teamwork was more than evident as they presented projects that one would expect to see from a professional architectural, engineering or contracting firm.
The Awards Banquet also featured the presentation of college scholarships to selected students that were sponsored by local companies. Four local students received a total of $10,000 in scholarships, courtesy of the Des Moines Construction Breakfast Club, Neumann Brothers, ACE Mentor Program of Iowa, Luke Altmix Simmons Charitable Foundation, Master Builders of Iowa and The Weitz Company
Students receiving scholarships:
Chris Mikelson, Urbandale High School
Riley O’Connor, South East Polk High School
Dalton Jacobus, Hoover High School
Holly Middleton, Urbandale High School
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Team North |
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Team South |
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Team West |
View End of Year Press Release
For more information on ways to be involved in the ACE Mentor Program of Iowa, contact Monica Worheide at the MBI office – (515) 657-4386 or email.
