We’re excited to spotlight McKenna Smith, recipient of the $7,500 O’Donnell & Naccarato Scholarship, who will be attending the Georgia Institute of Technology as a College of Design Dean’s Scholar this fall. A standout senior at Boyertown High School, McKenna plans to major in Architecture with a minor in Sustainable Cities, and she’s already setting her sights on designing educational spaces that shape future generations — from K–12 schools to college campuses — all with sustainability at the core.
McKenna shares, “ACE has been one of the most amazing experiences throughout my high school career. My mentors have solidified my goals to be an architect and influenced my pathway — from my university to my career focus.” With aspirations to return to the ACE program as a mentor and even teach design courses as an adjunct professor, McKenna is all about impact, innovation, and giving back. (And when she’s not designing buildings? You might find her making handmade jewelry with wire, beads, and stones!)
The ACE Mentor Program of Greater Philadelphia is the local affiliate of a national non-profit organization. An acronym for Architecture, Construction, and Engineering, ACE engages, excites, and enlightens high school students to consider or pursue careers in the integrated construction industry through mentoring, scholarships, and grants. ACE relies on a network of volunteer mentors ranging from architects and engineers to construction managers, contractors, and subcontractors.
Our affiliate currently has teams in Philadelphia, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery Counties in Pennsylvania – AND – Camden and Cumberland Counties in New Jersey.
ACE Mentor Program of Greater Philadelphia | 2024
