Masonry Magazine June 2001 Page. 46
MAKING
GRADE
Student in the spotlight
# Young Mason Follows in Dad's Footsteps
Ladale Smith of Pell City, AL, is our Masonry Apprentice of the Month. Smith is a hard-working young mason who learned the trade from his father, Joe.
"I've been working with my Dad since I was 10-years-old. He bought me a level and taught me how to lay brick. I've never wanted to do anything else," the younger Smith says.
Smith graduated from John Pope Eden Area Vocational Center in Ashville, AL last spring and immediately went to work full-time in his Dad's business, Smith Masonry.
Smith competed in the national masonry contest held last summer in Kansas City, MO in conjunction with the SkillsUSA - VICA National Leadership and Skills Conference. His instructor at Eden Vocational Center, Truman Boyd, says this about Smith, "Ladale has excellent work habits and a strong back!"
Smith's goal is to "take over my Dad's business." "Dad wants to become an instructor at Eden (Area Vocational Center) in four years. That's my time frame, too. I think I'll be ready to run the business by then," he explains.
Smith used to race dirt bikes competitively, but now does it just for fun. "I don't have the time anymore; and besides, it's just too hard on your body!"
46 MASONRY JUNE, 2001
Ladale Smith is pictured in front of a recent residential project near his hometown of Pell City, AL.