Masonry Magazine February 2005 Page. 14
Making the Grade Student
Note: If you have an apprentice mason to nominate, contact: J. David Holt, c/o Holt Marketing Group, Inc. 6120 Union Chapel Road, Suite 100 Kansas City, Mo. 64152 or fax to (816) 891-6666.
Ambition Drives Apprentice
Issaak Chavez of Pleasant View, Utah, is our Masonry Apprentice of the Month. Chavez, 20, is a graduate of the Ogden/Weber Applied Technology College in Ogden, Utah.
Chavez has lots of talents and training in construction. He started the Applied Technology College program in drafting. Then, he completed the HVAC sequence, obtained his certificate, and proved his mettle by placing second in the state VICA competition.
Still not satisfied, Chavez pursued and completed his certificate in masonry. He took his skills to the Utah state competition, where he took first-place honors. As a result, Chavez went on to the national masonry competition held in conjunction with the 40 annual SkillsUSA Leadership Conference at Bartle Hall in Kansas City, Mo.
Of all of the trades he's learned, masonry is his favorite. "I'm always impressed when I see a building stacked in brick," Chavez says. "I love working with my hands and building things."
His instructor, Rick Brown, sponsor of five national masonry contestants in the past six years, speaks highly of Chavez. "There is no doubt in my mind that Issaak will be very successful in anything he chooses to pursue. He is a very smart and ambitious individual."
Chavez is employed at Rich Improvement Construction Co., where he continues to learn many aspects of construction, including framing, finish work, sheet metal and, of course, masonry. His goal is to become a general contractor.
Issaak Chavez works steadily on his composite project in the national masonry contests held in conjunction with the 40 annual SkilsUSA Conference.
Bigger Profits
Come more from using this... IND 80 NEW MASONRY DETERGENT The New Standard of Excellence in New Masonry Detergent Cleans All Masonry than from using this... highly www.eacochem.com/1-800-313-8505 12 Masonry February 2005 Better, Safer, Faster and it is Profitable CIRCLE 151 ON READER SERVICE CARD www.masoncontractors.org