Masonry Magazine August 2010 Page. 17
The 46th annual gathering included a field trip to a local block plant arranged by NCMA representative, Harry Junk. The tour was followed by a luncheon in honor of the contestants and their instructors. At the luncheon, Patrick J. McLaughlin, executive director of the Florida Masonry Apprentice and Educational Foundation Inc., gave the keynote address.
McLaughlin's three-part presentation included a status report on the masonry industry in the State of Florida that includes 53 high school programs and 14 active training programs. He then promoted masonry as the "strongest building material available," showing before and after photographs of hurricane damage that showed the only structures standing amid almost total destruction, were masonry structures. McLaughlin concluded his presentation with a tribute to masons sighting pride of workmanship, craftsmanship and achievement.
Masonry competitors were among more than 5,000 students who competed in 96 different career trade, technical and leadership fields. The contestants effectively demonstrated their expertise in the occupational skills required for such trades as electronics, technical drafting, precision machining, carpentry, plumbing and masonry.
The awards ceremony was held at Kemper Arena in front of a crowd of more than 15,000.
The SkillsUSA organization represents more than 300,000 students and instructors in 54 state and territorial associations. The event is booked in Kansas City, Mo., through 2014. IMAS
2010 Winners
Post Secondary Competition
First Place:
Bradley Wright, 23, Wallace Community College Selma, Ala. (Wright earned a Gold Medal for the third consecutive year two post secondary awards and a high school award following a third place finish in 2007)
Second Place:
Jesus Guzman, 35, Arizona Masonry Contractors Association, Phoenix, Ariz.
Third Place:
Robert Gregory, 23, Francis Tuttle Technology Center - Reno Campus, Oklahoma City, Okla
Secondary Competition (High School)
First Place:
Brandon Boldon, 18, Claiborne High School, New Tazewell, Tenn
Second Place:
Matthew DiBara, 18, Montachusett Regional Vo Tech, Fitchburg, Mass.
Third Place:
Jacob Perkins, 18, H. H. Ellis Technical High School, Danielson, Conn.
J. David Holt, freelance writer and owner of Holt Marketing Group Inc., has been reporting on the SkillsUSA National Masonry Contest since 1994. For more information about the Masonry Technical Committee, contact Bryan Light, 770-760-0728. To learn more about SkillsUSA, visit www.SkillsUSA.org.
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August 2010
MASONRY 15