SkillsUSA 2022 National Leadership & Skills Conference

The 2022 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC) took place on June 20-24 in Atlanta, Georgia. The annual conference works to create and mentor the upcoming generations in masonry by creating a network of leadership and learning amongst students, instructors, and partners in the industry. The SkillsUSA competition consists of students of secondary and post-secondary categories initially taking a written exam prior to the competition and then reconstructing the project effectively. Approximately 40 contestants participated in the six-hour competition and built a brick and block project set on a concrete block case. The competitors were judged based on a criterion of the written exam along with an evaluation of the project by a panel of judges focusing on quality, efficiency, safety, and more. Congratulations to all of the hard work that was put in by all of the competitors, organizers, and contributors.

The winners of the 2022 SkillsUSA masonry competition were announced on Friday, June 24th and are as follows:

Secondary SkillsUSA Winners

1st PLACE
ANDERSON PRUETT
WEST ROWAN HIGH SCHOOL

2nd PLACE
SAMUEL BERRYMAN
BERKS CTC - EAST CAMPUS

3rd PLACE
ROSS NYE
VANGUARD-SENTINEL CTC – SENTINEL CAMPUS

Post-Secondary SkillsUSA Winners

1st PLACE
CHRIS PARKER
RESOURCE VALLEY CONSTRUCTION TRAINING COUNCIL, INC

2nd PLACE
ROBERT MCKIBBEN
DALLAS COLLEGE, NORTH LAKE CAMPUS

3rd PLACE
RYAN FALLON
WILLIAMSON COLLEGE OF THE TRADES

Words and Photos: MCAA/MASONRY Magazine

Making Old Brickwork Look New Again
September 2026

Brickwork is built to last, but mortar isn’t. Over time, exposure to moisture, freeze-thaw cycles, and everyday wear causes joints to crack, crumble, and even recede. What starts as a cosmetic issue can quickly turn into a structural concern if left unadd

Why Joint Profiles Matter In Masonry Restoration
September 2026

For generations, masonry structures have been defined not only by the brick, block, or stone used in construction, but also by the mortar joints that tie everything together. Whether restoring a historic brick facade, repairing natural stone veneer, or re

Designed for the Way Contractors Work Today
September 2026

Every piece of equipment tells a story about the challenges contractors face. For more than 30 years, the EZG Manufacturing team has listened to those stories—through customer relationships, job site visits, dealer feedback, a

Chemicals In Masonry
September 2026

Mason contractors must deal with chemicals on the job site. One of the main ones comes in the form of dust. Another is acid. From high-rise commercial structures to residential facades, masonry work involves handling raw materials that require careful man