Masonry Magazine October 1999 Page. 23
Dustry Works
uild it's Future
America, Bon Tool Co., Brick Industry Association, Marshalltown Trowel Co., Mason Contractors Association of America, National Concrete Masonry Association, Portland Cement Association and Spec Mix.
Other highlights of the three-day conclave included a luncheon for the contestants and their instructors. At the luncheon, Kjorlien pointed out to the competitors the beauty of working outdoors. He stressed the value of a trade they could take anywhere and the satisfaction of having a "visible representation of your work . . . every day."
The keynote speaker, Steven Fechino of Wasco, Inc., Nashville, Tn., spoke on the importance of mentoring. After asking for a show of hands of those who had a mentor, he asked the contestants to shake the hands of theirs (their instructors). Steven told the contestants to be proud of their trade and as they became more knowledgeable, to "pass it along" to others.
Following the luncheon and while the students were taking their written tests, Bill Kjorlien, chairman of the Masonry Technical Committee and Executive Director of the Southern Brick Institute, conducted the Instructor's Roundtable. Over 3,500 outstanding vocational students, all state champions, competed in more than 50 different VICA trade, technical and leadership competitions. The contestants effectively demonstrated their expertise in the occupational skills required for such trades as electronics, technical drafting, precision machining and orick masonry.
Upper center, masonry medalists celebrate their accomplishments on stage at the VICA National Skills and Leadership Conference awards ceremony.
Upper right, Steven Fechino of WASCO, Inc., Nashville, provided some lighter moments by instructing competition observers in "the fine art of masonry." Brady Shields, a Dewalt Tool employee from Chicago, looked on in amazement.
Lower right, Judges Jim Mills (left) and Floyd Pulse (right) do the final judging on a completed project.
Competition winners showed off their medals following the VICA National Skills and Leadership Conference awards ceremony.
Post Secondary Competition
First Place: Mike Quinn, 23, WITC, Cameron, Wisconsin
Second Place: Troy Tesmer, 28, North Central Technical College, Beloit, Kansas
Third Place: Michael Maliszewski, 21, Alfred State College, Wellsville, New York
High School Competition
First Place: Bryan Crouse, 18, South Caldwell High School, Hudson, North Carolina
Second Place: Lee McKelvey, 19, DeKalb County Area Vocational Center, Rainsville, Alabama
Third Place: Michael Kocevar, 19, Dauphin County Area Vocational Technical School, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Raymond "Red" Grubb, a retired mason tender, just can't get away from the dust and the mud. After 31 years in the business, Grubb volunteered to work this year's National Leadership and Skills Conference for the fifth consecutive year.
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