The Mason Contractors Association of Akron and Vicinity hosts the Regional Masonry Skills Challenge
The Mason Contractors Association of Akron and Vicinity recently hosted the 2005 Region C Skills Challenge. The weekend of competition showcased masonry skills, design proficiency and the talents of apprentices across the region. There were over 35 contestants, judges, sponsors and spectators for the annual competition.
The Mason Contractors Association of Akron and Vicinity prides itself in connecting the industry to the learning environment. There were three levels of competition, 1st year, 2nd year and 3rd year apprentices. First place winners of each level received $500.00 and are eligible to compete in the International Masonry Skills Challenge to be held in Chicago in April 2005. Second place and third place winners received 2? and 4? levels donated by Crick Tool.
Judges included two architects, Dave Wyatt from TC Architects and Chas Schreckenberger from Braun & Steidl Architects. Dave Wyatt said, ?What a learning experience for me, it?s a lot easier to draw it on paper than it is to do it. The masons really work hard and are obviously challenged at times by the blueprints. I didn?t realize how hard it was?. Randy Marker of Thomas & Marker Construction said, ?the association did a nice job with the masonry skills competition ? kudos to your organization for a job well done? and Joe Rustic of Cemex, ?offered congratulations for a job well done. The 2005 Region C Challenge hosted by the Akron Mason Contractors was the best I have attended?. Anthony McCullough from Bricklayers Local 5 said, ?I have previously attended six Masonry Skills Challenges and this was the best ever?.
A special thank you to Dave Phillips Masonry for having onsite a street stock car for all to view. After the competition it was a great stress reliever while the calculations were being done to determine the winners.
First-Year Apprentice Winners
First - Brian Legarth, F & R Masonry
Second - Ryan A. Schiefer, Pioneer Career & Technology Center
Third - Nicholas A. Zavarella, Jr., Zavarella Bros. Construction
Second-Year Apprentice Winners
First - Troy Holmes, Foti Construction
Second - Joseph G. Sell, Thomas and Marker Construction, Co.
Third - Adrian J. Jones, Revere Builders, Inc.
Third-Year Apprentice Winners
First - John Nero, F B & S Masonry, Inc.
Second - Richard Grant, Morgan Masonry, Inc.
Third - Jerry Scott, Giambrone Masonry, Inc.
Sponsors were the members of the association in cooperation with the support of Ohio Concrete Masonry Association and Great Lakes Cement Promotional Association.
More information, photos, and results can be found at www.akronmca.com.
About the Author
Lynne A. Black is the Executive Director for the Mason Contractors Association of Akron and Vicinity.
