Masonry Magazine February 2006 Page. 10
Making the Grade Student in the Spotlight
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.
He's a Natural
CHRIS SHERMAN, the apprentice of the month hailing from Whiteford, Md., has always had a special gift when it came to masonry.
"I told Chris that I'd noticed his knack for the trade, talked him into staying in my class and told him that if he would work hard, I would do my part to make him a state winner before he was a senior. He's just a natural," said Gary Siler, his instructor.
And Siler should know. Having sponsored five national masonry contestants in the past 10 years, he has a fine eye for talent.
Three years after starting his general technical training at Harford Technical High School in Bel Air, Md., Sherman not only participated in, but won, the Maryland State Masonry Competition. He then went on to the National Masonry Contest, held annually in conjunction with the SkillsUSA Leadership Conference, in Kansas City in 2004 and 2005.
An excellent student, Sherman was awarded Harford Technical High School's outstanding mason award for three of his high school years. He was a member of the school's golf and tennis teams while participating in numerous other activities. He lists biking and skating as hobbies when he has the time.
During the past few summers, Sherman has been employed by a local masonry company. Recently, Sherman joined his local Whiteford volunteer fire department as a trainee.
"I am proud to have been Chris's instructor," Siler said. "Throughout the past few years, I depended on Chris for class leadership, and he never let me down. He's goal-oriented and knows how to get things done. He will be an asset to his trade and his community."
Photos from top to bottan: Chris Sherman, a two-time participant in the National Masonry Contest in Kansas City, Me, recently constructed new signage for an elementary school in his hometown of Whiteford, Md.
Chris Sherman recently joined his local Whiteford (Md.) volunteer fire department and is proud of his new gear.
As part of a class project at Harford Technical High School in Bel Air, Md., Chris Sherman helped in the construction of a new entrance to a nearby college.