2024 Mortar Net Solutions Masonry Apprentice Scholarships Words: Steven FechinoOnce again, the 2024 Mortar Net Solutions Masonry Apprentice Scholarships have been delivered to 40 apprentices across the country who have exhibited energy, ability and dedication to the trade. The scholarship Began in 2019 with four scholarships presented across the Southeast of the United States. Beginning with two sponsors we began supporting the masonry apprenticeship with what we knew. Now, after several years of learning, mistakes, cold calling and promoting, the scholarship has grown into something everyone that is a part of is proud to be a part of. I proudly list our sponsors as a thank you and a way to show how tremendous their efforts are in making the Mortar Net Solutions Masonry Scholarship a true success. I do not have as big a part as each sponsor does and everyone who is a part of this scholarship can say, they make a difference. If you are interested in seeing the massive social media effort put forth by the schools that are recipients of the awards, you can begin by following Mortar Net Solutions on Instagram at mortarnetsolutions.com or on Facebook at Mortar Net Solutions. The post will highlight the students as they receive the awards and give them a chance to show the world truly how great training in our trade actually is.This year we were able to double our sponsors for this event and created our best scholarship presentation to date. I want to thank Greg Skyta for the assistance in putting this scholarship together, you would not believe how many dumb questions I ask him each year…ok, if you know me you are not surprised. If you are interested in learning more about submitting a student or becoming a sponsor, reach out to me directly at sfechino@mortarnet.com.Our sponsors are dedicated to this effort and have gone above and beyond helping us get to this point.Keene Building Products: Branded Shirts, Branded Pencils, Branded Water Bottles, and Branded Sunglasses. Thank you, Jim Keene and Sharon Mersek,Kapro Tools: Branded Masonry Squares and Branded Kapro 48-Inch Levels. Thank you, Stacy King, Danielle Jones and Alan VespoBon Tools: Branded Brick Trowel, Branded Margin Trowel, Branded Convex Joiner, Branded Ball Cap. Thank you, John Bongiovanni and Dan RiceGrout Grunt Scoops: Branded and Improved Grount Grunt Scoops. Thank you, Morgan AgazziTrufast Walls: Branded and Embroidered Carhart Hats. Thank you, Mitch MahlerArizona Masonry Council: Branded and Embordered Arizona Masonry Council Hats. Thank you, Cassie MajiaAdvanced Building Products: Branded Jag Clamps. Thank you, Keith Lolley and Katy PeabodyThe Build Show: Branded Build Shirts and Stickers. Thank you, Andy Moore and Matt RisingerBrick Industry Association: Branded Standard Brick Spacing Tape measures. Thank you, Bryan LightMason Contractors Association of America: Branded Shirts, Masonry Magazine Subscriptions, Masonry Magazines, Branded Pens and Stickers. Thank you, Jeff Buczkiewicz and Dan KamysGlen Gery Brick: Branded Line Pins, Branded Twigs, Branded Pens, Branded Horse Hair Brushes and Branded Shirts. Thank you, Nathan Karaway, Leroy Danforth and Stan HarwellNational Center for Construction Education and Research: A Digital Copy of the NCCER Manual for the Current Year of their Study. Thank you, Melissa Perkins and Zoe NembhardWire-Bond: Branded Knives for Jobsite Work. Thank you, Mike Ripley and Sal BiundoMalta Dynamics: Branded and State of the Art Apex Safety Helmets. Thank you, Bethany HessonThe National Brick Research Center at Clemson University: Branded Jobsite Notebooks and Branded Cooling Rags. Thank you, John SandersMcGee Brothers: Branded Jobsite Knives and McGee Brothers License Plates. Thank you, Kale HallmanBrickworks Supply Center: Branded Shirts, Branded Line Pins and Branded Twigs. Thank you, Nathan KarawayMortar Net Solutions: Branded Mortar Net Solutions Scholarship Shirt, Branded and Embordered Tool Bags, Branded Line Blocks, Branded Twigs, Mortar Boards, Sled Runner, Caulking Trowel, Brick Hammer, Plugging Chisel, Brick Set, Ball Caps and Koozies and Braided Line. Thank you, Greg SkytaThe Student List for 2024 includes:Armondo Acedo: Western Maricopa Education Center, Instructor: Cassie MajiaRJ Jackson: Columbus Career & College Academy, Instructor: Fred MasonDevon Riddle: Carroll County Public School, Instructor: Mike CampanelliJayden England: CAT NORTH Center for Applied Technology, Instructor: Paul FerencDaryl Branham: Carroll County Public School, Instructor: Mike CampanelliDaniel Garcia: NCMCA, Instructor: Ryan Shaver Jacob Amburn: Claiborne High School, Instructor: Dustin LoveOctavious Acklin: NCMCA, Instructor: Ryan ShaverBrian Rojas: Hamblen County High School, Instructor: Dustin LoveAndres Vargas Alvarado: NCMCA, Instructor: Ryan ShaverConnor Kilpatrick: CAT NORTH Center for Applied Technology, Instructor: Paul FerencHector Garcia: Columbus Career & College Academy, Instructor: Fred MasonDanny Jackson: Wallace Community College Selma, instructor: Kenny AllenCory Long: Columbus Career & College Academy, Instructor: Fred MasonKolby Beaghan: Carroll County Public School, Instructor: Mike CampanelliCarlos Umanzor Gamez: NCMCA, Instructor: Ryan ShaverKrysun Johnson: Wallace Community College Selma, Instructor: Kenny AllenAaron Charles: CAT NORTH Center for Applied Technology, Instructor: Paul FerencAlejandro Yolimea: Western Maricopa Education Center, Instructor: Cassie MajiaAustin Rossbach: CAT NORTH Center for Applied Technology, Instructor: Paul FerencZyar Diehl: Carroll County Public School, Instructor: Mike CampanelliAbril Baza: Columbus Career & College Academy, Instructor: Fred MasonDentra Palmer: Wallace Community College Selma, Instructor: Kenny AllenGage Ruark: Parkside CTE, Instructor: Josh JohnsonTrevian Whichard: NCMCA, Instructor: Ryan ShaverAbril Baza: Columbus Career & College Academy, Instructor: Fred MasonDemarcus McCray: NCMCA, Instructor: Ryan ShaverAnthony Tecan: Parkside CTE, Instructor: Josh JohnsonRicardo Gonzalez: Queen Anne's County High School, Instructor: Mike BlackstonAdam Perkey: Resource Valley Construction Training, Instructor: Dustin LoveDevion Savage: Wallace Community College Selma, Instructor: Kenny AllenJason Hernandez: Hamblen County High School, Instructor: Dustin LoveNicholas Davidson: Chattanooga Masonry Association, Instructor: Dustin LoveJake Gazaway: NCMCA, Instructor: Ryan ShaverGerson Ramirez: Queen Anne's County High School, Instructor: Mike BlackstonKirstyn Pressel: CAT NORTH Center for Applied Technology, Instructor: Paul FerencOlivia Folke: Parkside CTE, Instructor: Josh JohnsonColby Hildreth: NCMCA, Instructor: Ryan ShaverRandall Cinnamon: Claiborne High School, Instructor: Dustin LoveCory Long: Columbus Career & College Academy, Instructor: Fred MasonAs you can see, this was fun to be a part of this event. The students that receive the scholarships all learn of the scholarship on the day they are presented, we try to never let them know that they are even in the running, making it even a bigger surprise for the student. We are proud of all 184 students that have received a scholarship to date.