Self-motivated Mason Learns Quickly

Words: Dan KamysYoung and ambitious, 19-year-old Bryce Cude of Ogden, Utah, is the Masonry Apprentice of the Month.

When he was just a high school junior and in his first year of masonry instruction at Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College, Cude tied for first place in the state masonry contest. As a senior, he won the contest outright. As a result, Cude represented Utah at the National Masonry Contest held last June in Kansas City, Mo., as part of the SkillsUSA National Championships.

Rick Brown, who has sponsored National Masonry Contest participants five of the past six years, has provided Cude with important, quality instruction in masonry.

These days, Cude is working as a brick and block layer for Wilcox Masonry. When he's not working, he's either fly tying or fly fishing.

GEN NXT: Braxton Sisk
October 2026

MCAA: How did you first get introduced to masonry and the masonry industry? Braxton Sisk: Well, so we have a technical program at our school. I just decided to go into it, and I ended up being pretty good at it, and so I decided I wanted to do that for m

Geared Up for Fall Semester
October 2026

Along with finding potential leaders in the next generation of masonry professionals, getting to work with instructors in CTE programs throughout my region offers a great sense of hope and expectation. Add to that an environment where new technologies an

EZG Manufacturing Continues as a Cornerstone Partner in 2027
October 2026

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is excited to announce that EZG Manufacturing will continue as an esteemed Cornerstone Partner in the 2027 Masonry Alliance Program.

Masonry Direct Renews as a Silver Partner in 2027
October 2026

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is delighted to announce that Masonry Direct is the first Silver to renew their partnership in the 2027 Masonry Alliance Program.