He's a Natural
Words: Dan KamysChris Sherman, the apprentice of the month hailing from Whiteford, Md., has always had a special gift when it came to masonry.
"I told Chris that I'd noticed his knack for the trade, talked him into staying in my class and told him that if he would work hard, I would do my part to make him a state winner before he was a senior. He's just a natural," said Gary Siler, his instructor.
And Siler should know. Having sponsored five national masonry contestants in the past 10 years, he has a fine eye for talent.
Three years after starting his general technical training at Harford Technical High School in Bel Air, Md., Sherman not only participated in, but won, the Maryland State Masonry Competition. He then went on to the National Masonry Contest, held annually in conjunction with the SkillsUSA Leadership Conference, in Kansas City in 2004 and 2005.
An excellent student, Sherman was awarded Harford Technical High School's outstanding mason award for three of his high school years. He was a member of the school's golf and tennis teams while participating in numerous other activities. He lists biking and skating as hobbies when he has the time.
During the past few summers, Sherman has been employed by a local masonry company. Recently, Sherman joined his local Whiteford volunteer fire department as a trainee.
"I am proud to have been Chris's instructor," Siler said. "Throughout the past few years, I depended on Chris for class leadership, and he never let me down. He's goal-oriented and knows how to get things done. He will be an asset to his trade and his community."