Masonry students build sign at Midland Fire Department

Words: Catherine AdkinsonStudents in Masonry 3 class at Central Cabarrus High School built a sign at Midland Fire Department Station 2. The class also built a sign at the main Midland Fire Department last month.

Todd Hartsell, who teaches the class, said students learn basic skills in the masonry lab at the school and apply what they learn through community service projects.

The class has also built the foundation for a Habitat for Humanity House, a backstop for the softball field at Hickory Ridge High School, a brick mailbox for J.N. Fries Magnet Middle School and a bell tower for a local church. Hartsell said three of his students will be working for masonry contractors this summer.

“By doing stuff like this, they can see if they like it,” Hartsell said.
Outreach Outlook: Springing into Action – The Season of Growth
March 2026

There is a distinct shift in the air when March arrives. You can feel it on the job sites, and you can certainly feel it in the classrooms. As the winter chill begins to lift and the days are a little longer, the construction industry naturally wakes up f

Chairman's Message: Laying the First Brick - A Fresh Start
March 2026

As we head into a new year, I’m excited and, honestly, grateful to step into the role of Chairman of the Mason Contractors Association of America. This industry has been good to my family, and I see this role as a chance to give back and help move things

GEN NXT: 2026 Skills Challenge Winners
March 2026

After another successful year of the Skills Challenge, the MCAA had the opportunity to speak with the three 1st Place winners of each skill level. Get to know their journeys, motivations, and the mindsets they have in order to compete in a national compet

2026 World of Concrete Recap
March 2026

The 2026 World of Concrete Convention marked another successful year for masonry. From the world-renowned Skills Challenge and Fastest Trowel on the Block competitions to the new innovative GEORGE AI class, we gained a lot of ground in pushing this indust