Craftsmanship on Display at Masonry Showcase
By Mason Contractors Association of America
The sixth annual International Masonry Skills Challenge at Masonry Showcase in Chicago showed off the best apprentices our industry has to offer. Twenty-one contestants from across the country came to compete in first, second, and third year skill levels. This year's designs were both innovative and difficult, as they incorporated products such as stone and cast stone.
The final projects looked great, and the apprentices should be very proud of their three hours of hard work. The judges were very impressed with the quality of the apprentices' construction, and were tasked with the tough decision of choosing the winners. Here are the results:
 Thomas Sautkus |
First Year Apprentices 1st place: Thomas Sautkus District Council Training Center, Addison, Illinois
2nd place: Brian Legarth
3rd place: Chad Galloway |
 Troy Holmes |
Second Year Apprentices 1st place: Troy Holmes Foti Construction, Cleveland, Ohio
2nd place: Christopher Kowalczyk
3rd place: Juan Capetillo |
 John Nero |
Third Year Apprentices 1st place: John Nero F, B & S Masonry, Stow, Ohio
2nd place: Chris Pruitt
3rd place: Jaime Salas |
MCAA would like to thank the judges from across the country for the donation of their expertise, and we would thank the sponsors and materials donors for their contributions.
Contest sponsors: ACCI, Building Stone Institute, County Materials, Fraco, ICS Blount, Lafarge North America, MK Diamond Products, Multiquip, Non-Stop Scaffolding, Quikrete, and Spec Mix.
Materials contributed by: ACCI, BIA, Buechel Stone, EZ Grout, Gatorback, Glen Gery Brick, Illinois Brick, Marshalltown, Northfield Block, and Quikrete.
About the Author
he Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is the national trade association representing mason contractors. The MCAA is committed to preserving and promoting the masonry industry by providing continuing education, advocating fair codes and standards, fostering a safe work environment, recruiting future manpower, and marketing the benefits of masonry materials. Visit www.masoncontractors.org to learn more.
