Masonry Magazine August 2001 Page. 43
MAKING
GRADE
Student in the spotlight
Young Mason Represents
Entrepreneurial Spirit
Scott Sander of Canton, OH, is our Masonry Apprentice of the Month. Like many aspiring young masons, he epitomizes the hard-working, entrepreneurial spirit of the masonry trade. Encouraged by his mother, Sander started working for his mason grandfather when he was just 11 years old.
Already, Sander is an accomplished apprentice mason. He's also a roofer, concrete finisher and maintenance manager of his grandfather's rental properties. During the school year, he works 20 to 25 hours a week as a computer and audio-visual technician.
A sophomore at the University of Akron, Sander plans to complete a degree in construction engineering technology. Eventually, Sander would like to start a contracting business of his own.
Sander competed in the national masonry contest held this past summer in Kansas City, Mo. in conjunction with the SkillsUSA-VICA National Leadership and Skills Conference. He represented the state of Ohio in the secondary division. He credits his instructor for getting him involved in masonry competitions that led him to the nationals.
"I really learned a lot from my high school instructor," Sander says. "When all the other students left for early placement, Mr. (Wayne) Harrison and I had to complete the class project. We blocked the new concession stand at the football stadium. It was a lot of work; but it was cool, too, 'cause I learned a few 'tricks' I didn't know."