Apprentices Rise to the Challenge

Words: Mason ContractorsThe ninth annual International Masonry Skills Challenge at the 2008 MCAA Convention in Las Vegas, NV at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry on January 24, 2008 showed off the best apprentices our industry has to offer. Contestants in first, second and third year skill levels throughout the country came to compete.

Each contestant was presented with a project drawing appropriate to their skill level just moments before the competition began. Contestants only had three hours to construct the project based on the materials provided. The final projects looked great; the apprentices should be very proud of their three hours of hard work. The judges were impressed with the quality of the apprentices' construction, and were tasked with the tough decision of choosing the winners.

The top-placing contestants for each skill level were:

/Public/News/20080213090600-1.jpg" width="300" height="200" border="0" alt="Derrick Stone, 2008 International Masonry Skills Challenge First Year winner.">

Derrick Stone, 2008 International Masonry Skills Challenge First Year winner.

First Year Apprentices

First Place

Derrick Stone
Rick Stone Masonry
Helotes, TX

Second Place

Nick Martin
Leidal and Hart Mason Contractors, Inc.
Livonia, MI

Third Place

Jose Lara Navarrow
Diablo Valley Masonry Industry
Sacramento, CA

/Public/News/20080213090600-2.jpg" width="300" height="200" border="0" alt="Roberto Lopez, 2008 International Masonry Skills Challenge Second Year winner.">

Roberto Lopez, 2008 International Masonry Skills Challenge Second Year winner.

Second Year Apprentices

First Place

Roberto Lopez
Top Quality Masonry
Phoenix, AZ

Second Place

Oscar Herrera
Wasco, Inc.
Nashville, TN

Third Place

Vicente Rodriguez
Karon Masonry of Maryland, LLC.
Beltsville, MD

/Public/News/20080213090600-3.jpg" width="300" height="200" border="0" alt="Steven Powers, 2008 International Masonry Skills Challenge Third Year winner.">

Steven Powers, 2008 International Masonry Skills Challenge Third Year winner.

Third Year Apprentices

First Place

Steven Powers
Edgar Boettcher Mason Contractor, Inc.
Traverse City, MI

Second Place

Sam Huhn
Adams Masonry, Inc.
Chattanooga, TN

Third Place

Joel Lopez
Cornerstone Masonry, Inc.
Salinas, CA

All winners received trophies and tool bags, plus first place winners took home $1,000, second place winners received $500 and $250 was awarded to third-place winners.

The Mason Contractors Association of America would like to thank the judges from across the country for donating their time and expertise, and the sponsors and service and material donors for their contributions including Angelus Block Co., Inc., EZ Scaffold, Hydro Mobile, Inc., Non-Stop Scaffolding, QUIKRETE, SPEC MIX, EZ Grout Corporation, John Spencer Brickwork, Marshalltown Company, Tradesmen’s Software, Inc., P&S Masonry, Inc., Stone Construction Equipment, Bon Tool Co., MK Diamond Products, Inc., and Wasco, Inc.

Menu

Primary Navigation

Quick Links

Apprentices Rise to the Challenge

About: Convention

Add a product...

Checkout

Interested in these Special Bundle Deals? Continue to check out

Chemicals In Masonry

Brick Staining Dos and Don'ts: Managing Modern and Historic Masonry Construction

Gables Republic Square & Hotel ZaZa

The Utah Masonry Council's Masonry Education Day