February 2, 2012 8:30 AM CST
The Masonry Skills Challenge is a competition of masonry apprentices in first, second and third year skill levels. The contest is a showcase for skills training in the masonry industry, challenging winning apprentices from regional U.S. and foreign competitions to determine the top masonry apprentice at each level. This exciting competition spotlights our industry's finest young masons and focuses attention on careers in the masonry industry.
Each contestant was presented with a project drawing appropriate to their skill level just moments before the competition began. Contestants only had three hours to construct the project based on the materials provided. The final projects looked great; the apprentices should be very proud of their three hours of hard work. The judges were impressed with the quality of the apprentices' construction, and had the tough decision of choosing the winners.
The top-placing contestants for each skill level were:
Severn, MD
Masonry Arts, Inc.
Bessemer, Ala.
Leidal & Hart/Dixon, Inc.
Livonia, Mich.
McGee Brothers, Inc.
Monroe, N.C.
Foti Construction, Inc.
Wickliffe, Ohio
WASCO, Inc.
Knoxville, Tenn.
Studer-Obringer, Inc.
New Washington, Ohio
Masonry Specialist Corporation
Chattanooga, Tenn.
G&G Enterprises
Glendale, Ariz.
All winners received trophies, cash prizes, Marshalltown Company tool bags and tools, concrete calculators from Calculated Industries, and levels from Johnson Level. First place winners also received engraved trowels from Marshalltown Company. All contestants received Grout Grunt scoops, pencils and shirts; Marshalltown Company trowels, jointers, and hats; Johnson Level tape measurers; blocks, trigs, and hats from Mortar Net, Inc.; EZ Twig mason line twigs from Linovation Corporation; hats from GATORBACK, Inc.; Vatne Concrete Systems hand sanitizer; shirts from Boral Bricks, Inc. and additional prizes.
The Mason Contractors Association of America would like to thank the judges from across the country for donating their time and expertise:
Apprentices show off their skills in Vegas
First, second and third year apprentices compete in the 2012 Masonry Skills Challenge
Winners of the 2012 Masonry Skills Challenge.
The thirteenth annual Masonry Skills Challenge at the 2012 MCAA Convention in Las Vegas, Nev. during the World of Concrete/World of Masonry on January 24, 2012, showed off the best apprentices our industry has to offer.The Masonry Skills Challenge is a competition of masonry apprentices in first, second and third year skill levels. The contest is a showcase for skills training in the masonry industry, challenging winning apprentices from regional U.S. and foreign competitions to determine the top masonry apprentice at each level. This exciting competition spotlights our industry's finest young masons and focuses attention on careers in the masonry industry.
Each contestant was presented with a project drawing appropriate to their skill level just moments before the competition began. Contestants only had three hours to construct the project based on the materials provided. The final projects looked great; the apprentices should be very proud of their three hours of hard work. The judges were impressed with the quality of the apprentices' construction, and had the tough decision of choosing the winners.
The top-placing contestants for each skill level were:
Oliver Snyder, 2012 Masonry Skills Challenge First Year winner.
First Year Apprentices
First Place
Oliver SnyderSevern, MD
Second Place
Tom WebsterMasonry Arts, Inc.
Bessemer, Ala.
Third Place
Justin ProchLeidal & Hart/Dixon, Inc.
Livonia, Mich.
Wriston McGee, 2012 Masonry Skills Challenge Second Year winner.
Second Year Apprentices
First Place
Wriston McGeeMcGee Brothers, Inc.
Monroe, N.C.
Second Place
Jeremy CaseyFoti Construction, Inc.
Wickliffe, Ohio
Third Place
Justin JohnsonWASCO, Inc.
Knoxville, Tenn.
Darren Tobolt, 2012 Masonry Skills Challenge Third Year winner.
Third Year Apprentices
First Place
Darren ToboltStuder-Obringer, Inc.
New Washington, Ohio
Second Place
Kristopher BoydMasonry Specialist Corporation
Chattanooga, Tenn.
Third Place
Filiberto GranadosG&G Enterprises
Glendale, Ariz.
All winners received trophies, cash prizes, Marshalltown Company tool bags and tools, concrete calculators from Calculated Industries, and levels from Johnson Level. First place winners also received engraved trowels from Marshalltown Company. All contestants received Grout Grunt scoops, pencils and shirts; Marshalltown Company trowels, jointers, and hats; Johnson Level tape measurers; blocks, trigs, and hats from Mortar Net, Inc.; EZ Twig mason line twigs from Linovation Corporation; hats from GATORBACK, Inc.; Vatne Concrete Systems hand sanitizer; shirts from Boral Bricks, Inc. and additional prizes.
The Mason Contractors Association of America would like to thank the judges from across the country for donating their time and expertise:
- Moroni Mejia, Rhino Masonry, Inc.; Mesa, Ariz.
- Robert Collins, Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local #4 CA; Irwindale, Calif.
- Al Herndon, Florida Masonry Apprentice & Educational Foundation, Inc.; Jacksonville, Fla.
- Curtis Hoover, Anne Arundle County Public Schools; Stevensville, Md.
- Eugene Johnson Lake Marion High School; Santee, S.C.
- Merritt “Bud” Johnson; Wylie, Texas
- Alonza Lewis; Columbia, S.C.
- Bryan Light, Brick Industry Association Southeast Region; Conyers, Ga.
- Paul Odom, P and S Masonry, Inc.; Hamilton, Texas
- Paul Oldham, Ollier Masonry, Inc.; Batesville, Ind.
- David Peloke, Foley Masonry and Tile; Tucson, Ariz.
- Phil Samblanet, The Masonry Society; Boulder, Colo.
- Victor Santillan, Harlingen High School; Harlingen, Texas
Competition Sponsor
- Lafarge North America
Contributors
- Angelus Block Co.
- Boral Bricks, Inc.
- GATORBACK, Inc.
- QUIKRETE
- SPEC MIX, Inc.
Prize Donations
- Boral Bricks, Inc.
- Calculated Industries
- GATORBACK, Inc.
- Grout Grunt
- Johnson Level
- Linovation Corporation
- Marshalltown Company
- Mortar Net, Inc.
- Vatne Concrete Systems
Strategic Partners
- CavClear
- Dow Building Solutions
- EZ Scaffold
- Indian Mill Corporation
- Non-Stop Scaffolding
- Oldcastle Building Products
- QUIKRETE
- SPEC MIX, Inc.
About the Author
The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is the national trade association representing mason contractors. The MCAA is committed to preserving and promoting the masonry industry by providing continuing education, advocating fair codes and standards, fostering a safe work environment, recruiting future manpower, and marketing the benefits of masonry materials.
