Apprentices Show their 'Skills' to the Industry
By Mason Contractors Association of America
The seventh annual International Masonry Skills Challenge at Masonry Showcase in Las Vegas showed off the best apprentices our industry has to offer. Twenty-two 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 stone and new patterns.
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:
 Daniel Sikorski |
First Year Apprentices 1st place: Daniel Sikorski District Council Training Center, Addison, Illinois
2nd place: Elizabeth Cleckley
3rd place: Terrance Vaughn |
 Jason Thrift |
Second Year Apprentices 1st place: Jason Thrift Karon Masonry, Beltsville, Maryland
2nd place: Renato Ramirez
3rd place: Esteban Gonzales |
 Juan Capitillo |
Third Year Apprentices 1st place: Juan Capitillo DMG Masonry Inc., Arlington, Texas
2nd place: Josh Morrison
3rd place: Esteban Alarcon |
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: Building Stone Institute, CEMEX, Cosella Doerken, EZ Grout, EZ Scaffold, Fraco, Gehl, JLG, Lafarge North America, MK Diamond Products, Mortar Net, Non-Stop Scaffolding, and Spec Mix.
Materials contributed by: Bon Tool, Buechel Stone, EZ Grout, Gatorback, Quikrete, Rinker, and Summit Brick.
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.
