Announcing the Inaugural Mark A. Casso Scholarship Recipients
- 12 hours ago
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This year marks a meaningful and emotional milestone for the ACE Mentor Program and the CIRT Competition community. In honor of Mark A. Casso—founder of the CIRT National Design + Construction Competition and a passionate advocate for the next generation of industry leaders—we are proud to introduce the Mark A. Casso Scholarship.
Established following Mark’s unexpected passing last summer, this scholarship was made possible through the extraordinary generosity of colleagues, friends, and industry partners who wanted to ensure his legacy continues to shape future careers. Mark believed deeply in the power of mentorship, hands-on learning, and opening doors for students pursuing careers in construction, engineering, architecture, and design. This scholarship carries that vision forward.
About the Scholarship
The Mark A. Casso Scholarship is a new annual award, created to recognize outstanding ACE students who exemplify leadership, creativity, dedication, and a commitment to the built environment. Beginning this year, two scholarships of $10,000 each will be awarded annually to exceptional students across the ACE network.
Meet the 2026 Recipients
We are honored to announce the inaugural recipients of the Mark A. Casso Scholarship:
SaiRishita Kona
Presented by Corey Clayborne, CIRT’s President & CEO, SaiRishita Kona is a four-year ACE participant whose journey reflects remarkable growth, leadership, and purpose.
SaiRishita distinguished herself through her work on complex, real-world design challenges—from shoreline redevelopment to sustainable infrastructure. Her teams earned national recognition in the CIRT Competition, including a third-place finish for an innovative Charleston shoreline project. Beyond her technical achievements, SaiRishita approaches architecture with a deep sense of responsibility to communities and the environment.
As noted during the award presentation, she has grown “from a quiet, detail-oriented artist into a confident project manager and emerging architect,” consistently demonstrating leadership and a commitment to thoughtful, resilient design.
Kaleo Pan
Presented by Julie Casso, Mark’s wife, Kaleo Pan embodies the spirit of ACE through his curiosity, service, and unwavering work ethic.
A three-year participant from ACE Rhode Island, Kaleo balances academic excellence with athletics, leadership, and community service. He plans to pursue mechanical engineering, with a focus on design and systems thinking—approaching engineering not just as a discipline, but as a way to improve lives.
Mentors describe Kaleo as a student who “regularly sought additional responsibilities” and contributed meaningfully through initiative and collaboration. His recognition reflects both his achievements to date and the promise of his future impact.
A Lasting Legacy
The Mark A. Casso Scholarship is more than an award—it is a commitment. A commitment to students, to mentorship, and to the future of the design and construction industry. Thanks to the generosity of donors across the ACE and CIRT communities, this scholarship will continue year after year, supporting students who carry forward Mark’s passion and vision.
Support the Scholarship
If you would like to contribute to the Mark A. Casso Scholarship fund and help expand opportunities for future ACE students, you can donate here:
For questions about the scholarship fund or scholarship eligibility, please contact the ACE Mentor Program.
As we celebrate these outstanding students, we also celebrate the legacy of Mark A. Casso—a leader whose impact will continue to be felt through every student this scholarship supports.