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Making an Impression on Everyone

Words: Dan KamysJason Blaney seems to impress people everywhere he goes. "Jason is one of the best students to have ever completed our masonry program," senior-year vocational instructor Adam Viney says. "When I first met Jason, he was the kind of young man who could go either way in life. I truly feel that vocational education contributed to Jason's decision to choose the right path."

Blaney's junior-year instructor, Brian Evans, is confident of a bright future for this young star. "He's a quick learner who was always first to class and last to leave. I know he will be very successful."

Following graduation from Southeast Career Center in Columbus, Ohio, Blaney placed fifth in the Ohio State Masonry Contest. He then joined Bricklayers' Union Local #55 in Columbus as an apprentice. His apprentice instructor, Jerry Gerber, was impressed too. Gerber says, "Jason's a pleasure. He comes motivated and ready to learn." Gerber wanted to hire his apprentice student at the company where he is employed, Chet Baker & Company, Canal Winchester, Ohio, but he had to wait.

Blaney went to work for The Smoot Construction Company, Columbus, Ohio, and the praise continued there. Kurt Baker, Blaney's foreman, says simply, "Jason was just the best apprentice I've ever had." Baker wanted to make Blaney a foreman after he completed his apprenticeship training. But before that happened, Blaney took Gerber's suggestion and joined up with Chet Baker & Company in March 2002.

Blaney says he would like to continue his studies at Columbus State and eventually get into construction management. In either case, he is off to a good start in his career with plenty of support from those he works with.
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