Young Mason Excels

Esbeck took quite a bit of experience with him to Kirkwood. He lists carpentry, woodworking and working on cars as his extracurricular activities. In fact, Esbeck has a good deal of general construction experience, having worked for his father's company.

Esbeck's technical instructor puts him in the spotlight. "Dane was an outstanding student from Day One," says Joe Luchtenburg, Esbeck's Instructor at Kirkwood Community College. "He had great work ethics, a commitment to the program and perfect attendance. He showed great leadership skills in the program and graduated with a 3.7 GPA."

Esbeck was Luchtenburg's second student in only two years of instructing who advanced to the national masonry contest. The competition was held last summer in conjunction with the 40th annual SkillsUSA National Leadership Conference in Kansas City, Mo.

Esbeck's supervisor at Seedorf Masonry, Jerry Knight, continues his praise. "Dane is an exceptional first-year bricklayer apprentice. He takes pride in his work and always does a good, quality job. Topping that off with a great attitude makes Dane one of the best apprentices we have had in a long while."