The ACE Mentor Program of Greater Philadelphia, the local affiliate of the nation’s most engaging industry mentoring program, hosted 350+ members and friends of the design and construction community Thursday, 20 February 2020 at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum for a repeat of its successful Giant Jenga Tournament. The fourth annual event netted over $30,000 for the ACE Greater Philadelphia mentoring program and scholarships for current high school students and ACE alumni currently enrolled in higher education and focusing on an A-C-E (architecture, construction, or engineering) related career path.

“This event is able to cross generational lines and bring together mentors, students, and friends from partner companies throughout the region,” said ACE Executive Director Tiffany Millner, AIA, NOMA. “Through competition and camaraderie, we demonstrated the strength and support of Philadelphia’s design and construction industry while raising money to support the next generation of architects, engineers, and construction professionals.”

Sixty-four teams of four competed in a round-robin tournament playing a supersized version of the tabletop wooden block game, Jenga. Giant Jenga incorporated 2x4 blocks, with some towers reaching nearly six feet high. The winning team, representing Torcon Construction of Philadelphia, Pa., earned naming rights for a high school scholarship to be given at the 19^th Annual ACE Scholarship Breakfast on May 7, 2020. The ACE Mentor Program of America came in second with WRT (Wallace Roberts & Todd) and FCA (Francis Cauffman Architects) tying for third place. BRR Architecture was named the Speed Round Champion.

“It has been gratifying to watch this event grow and develop into a major source of scholarship funds for deserving ACE students,” said Brian Rawlings, Principal at O’Donnell & Naccarato, member of the ACE board of directors and chair of its Fundraising Committee. “The scholarship money and exposure to STEM careers makes such a difference to deserving students.”

Giant Jenga took place at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum. Live music was provided by Element K – Shore Bets Entertainment.

In 2019, the ACE Giant Jenga Tournaments raised over $20,000 for scholarships and drew attention to the impact of the ACE Mentor Program. STEM careers, including those in design and construction, are in high demand in today’s global economy. ACE Greater Philadelphia exposes traditionally underrepresented groups – minorities and young women – to educational and career opportunities available in ACE careers through mentoring, support, and scholarships.

For a full list of participating teams, sponsors, and winners, and a gallery of downloadable event images, visit: https://www.acementorphilly.online/community-events/torcon-wins-ace-giant-jenga-2020/