FIND A CONTRACTOR BUYER'S GUIDE
BECOME AN INDUSTRY PARTNER
MCAA Logo
MEMBER LOGIN JOIN
NEWS
Join Us For The 75th Anniversary Midyear Meeting Sep 7-11 ↗

A Young Mason

Words: Dan Kamys
/Public/News/20081218080600-1.jpg" width="300" height="200" border="0" alt="Raul Torrez is an excellent student and even better mason.">
Raul Torrez is an excellent student and even better mason.
When Raul Torrez enrolled in an "Introduction to Masonry" class as a sophomore at Harlingen High School, no one knew to expect such a high level of achievement.

"I'm really proud of this young man," says Torrez's instructor, Victor Santillan. "By the end of his junior year, he had won the Texas State competition and advanced to the National Masonry Contest at the SkillsUSA conference in Kansas City."

Between the end of the school year and the national contest, Torrez teamed with Santillan to build a block retaining wall for the high school's marquee.

"He's a good worker," says Santillan. "Over the course of two weeks, Raul and another student laid eight-inch block and modular brick to build that wall. It gave me a chance to work with him outside the classroom and for him to get even more experience before the contest."

Torrez, now a high school senior, is in the advanced masonry program, which is dual-enrolled with Texas State Technical College, enabling him to take Advanced Placement (AP) classes. Santillan has sponsored 12 students in the SkillsUSA National Masonry Contest and six consecutive state representatives.

"I hope Raul maintains his interest in the program," says Santillan. "He has the ability to improve just enough to win the contest next year."
 0
Building Tomorrow, Digitally: How Tech is Revolutionizing Masonry
September 2025

The rhythmic tap of the trowel, the satisfying click of brick on mortar – masonry, in its essence, is a craft steeped in tradition. For centuries, it has shaped our skylines, built our homes, and stood as a testament to human ingenuity and skill. But just

Erin Koets
MAP Partner
Read More
MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Episode 28 Recap: Kendall Anderegg, President and CEO at Mutual Materials Company
September 2025

Kendall Anderg's journey in the masonry industry is a remarkable tale of legacy, innovation, and community impact. Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Kendall's family business has been a staple in the industry since its founding in 1900. Now celebrating

Justin Stengel
The MASONRY STRONG Podcast
Read More
Ensuring Safety in Scaffold Access and Transference
September 2025

One of the most relevant issues currently affecting the industry is scaffold plans and safety. You are probably aware of new scaffold regulations required by general contractors and owners. IT IS VITAL THAT YOU ARE AWARE OF THESE REQUIREMENTS WHEN BIDDING

Clint Bridges
MAP Partner
Read More
Thermal Mass in Masonry
September 2025

A building’s exterior design and material selection impact all aspects of the final product, from indoor air quality to overall energy efficiency. When design-build teams aim to achieve a more energy-efficient building, material selection is the most cruc

John Cicciarelli
Technical Talks
Read More