Beginning in December, Prudential Tower will once again shine bright with the help of local community organizations. ACE Mentor Program of Greater Boston, will flip the switch to light up Boston on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 as part of Prudential Center’s 16th Annual 31 Nights of Light program. The top of Prudential Tower will beam teal, gold, and purple in support of ACE Mentor Program of Greater Boston’s mission of encouraging high school students to pursue careers in architecture, engineering and construction (A/C/E). The program’s goals include engaging, enlightening, and supporting students, advancing into the industry, and building a diverse and better-prepared workforce.
The ACE Mentor Program of Greater Boston is a volunteer-driven organization that introduces high school students to the professions of architecture, construction management, engineering, and the trades. Their flagship program is a free, collaborative after-school program that convenes students from multiple schools at six sites around Boston and virtually as well. Each year, dozens of volunteers from ACE’s industries coach student teams through an end-to-end interdisciplinary design project, such as renovating a subway station or improving a neighborhood’s resilience to climate change. Students can participate for up to four years, trying out a different profession each year, or sticking with a topic of compelling interest.
In addition to activating student interest in chosen industries, ACE also curates summer internship opportunities and raises money for scholarships to support college or training in the trades. In March 2024, ACE presented $250,000 in awards to graduating ACE seniors.
ACE Mentor Program of Greater Boston also places an emphasis on helping high school students from underrepresented communities. By prioritizing outreach to students from different racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds, ACE provides students with access to mentors, resources, and networking opportunities that students might not otherwise have. This diversity reflects ACE’s commitment to making post-secondary opportunities available to all, not just those who typically have access. The program’s diverse mentors also serve as role models, showing students paths to success in fields where one may not have seen before. Through this inclusive approach, ACE aims to build a workforce that better reflects society and brings together a wide range of perspectives to strengthen the industry.
The 31 Nights of Light program was introduced in 2009 to celebrate local Boston-area organizations and draw attention to the great work they do in Boston and beyond. Utilizing a state-of-the-art LED lighting system, the top of Prudential Tower will change color daily to honor its 28 community partners.
For more information on Prudential Center, Boston, and the 31 Nights of Light event, visit www.prudentialcenter.com, follow @pruboston on Instagram or Prudential Center Boston on Facebook.
About ACE Mentor Program of Greater Boston: ACE of Greater Boston was launched in 2007 and is one of 70-plus affiliates under the ACE national umbrella. Through practical, project-based, hands-on explorations, students work collaboratively and creatively to design innovative solutions to real world problems. With professional guidance by esteemed industry mentors who are full-time employees of construction, design and engineering firms, students embark on a five-month design project, through weekly sessions after school, to develop the professionalism, teamwork, and collaboration that the industry requires. During this time, the students construct a hypothetical project in order to learn about each discipline and take part in activities such as site visits, Revit training and trade day