Masonry Magazine April 2001 Page. 36
MAKING
# GRADE
Student in the spotlight
Mike Christopher of Spotsylvania, Virginia, is our Masonry Apprentice of the Month. Christopher not only represented Virginia in the national SkillsUSA-VICA masonry contest last summer, he is president of his Future Farmers of America chapter and the starting center and captain of his high school football team. And, in the Virginia State Fair Masonry Team Contest, Christopher and his partner, Marcellous Stewart, earned second place honors.
Of the national competition, Christopher said, "The national competition was totally different than the state. We had a lot more prep and planning time in the national ... and more time to talk to our advisors."
"I want to acknowledge the excellent masonry instruction of Mr. Phipps (at the Spotsylvania Vocational Center) and thank him for his support in my competitions," Christopher said. "I also thank my Mom and Dad because they taught me that I can do anything if I put my heart into it."
Christopher is a third generation mason. His grandfather laid brick for 33 years and his Dad, Larry, is still active in the trade after 30 years.
Like many young masons, Christopher is energetic and hard-working. Even while still attending school, Christopher works for Baxter's Construction and with his Dad, Larry, in his Dad's masonry business. "I've been working with my Dad since I was old enough to go on the job," he says.
Apprentice Mason
Earns Numerous
Successes
Mike Christopher of Spotsylvania, VA is shown on the site of a large, all-brick residence he helped build.
Dennis Baxter, Jr. of Baxter's Construction describes Christopher as an excellent worker who prepares well and produces quality work. "This young man is way ahead of his contemporaries," Baxter says. "He knows as much about masonry as most people who have been in the business for 10 or 15 years."
Looking ahead, Christopher says he'd like to attend a technical school to learn different techniques in masonry and how to own his own business. "After I complete school, I want to work for my father who has taught me so much," Christopher says. "Later, when I'm stable, I'd like to start my own business, then, eventually become a county inspector."
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36 MASONRY APRIL, 2001