Masonry Magazine May 2001 Page. 45
Masonry Showcase attendees enjoying the Masonry Skills Challenge.
competitors, the Canadian Masonry Winners of the international Masonry Skills Challenge were:
competitors, the Canadian Masonry Contractors Association sent nine apprentices from across Canada to compete. "We were very excited to be invited to compete in this competition," stated John Blair, Executive Director of the Canadian Masonry Contractors Association. "It gave our apprentices the opportunity to see how masons in the United States work together like one large family."
The twenty-seven apprentices spent an exciting two days in Orlando. The day before the competition, they worked side-by-side with architects from across the U.S., who were in Orlando for the Architects' Masonry Symposium, and local contractors to complete an all masonry Habitat for Humanity home in Orlando. Amazingly, the home was completed in just one day during which the apprentices gained valuable contact with their peers.
For the international Masonry Skills Challenge competition, each contestant was presented with a project, which was designed for their skill level. This project was to be completed during a three-hour time limit. These projects were then judged using ten different criteria including laying to the line, plumb and level, appearance, cleanliness and overall quality.
First Year, First Place
Chris Sutherland
Red Brookshire of Florida, Inc.
Tampa, Florida
First Year, Second Place
Camerino Rogue Gutierrez
Skinner Masonry, Inc.
Mesquite, Texas
First Year, Third Place
Grant Young
Peterson Construction Co.
Wapakoneta, Ohio
Second Year, First Place
Travis Manning
C.B.C. Masonry, Inc.
Fort Worth, Texas
Second Year, Second Place
Joseph McCoy
Giambrone Masonry, Inc.
Hudson, Ohio
Second Year, Third Place
Josh Williams
Witmer & McCoy, Inc.
Mount Joy, Pennsylvania
Third Year, First Place
Jose Herrera
LF Jennings, Inc.
Falls Church, Virginia
Third Year, Second Place
Maroni Mejia
Young Guns Masonry
Phoenix, Arizona
Third Year, Third Place
Tomas Olvera
P and S Masonry, Inc.
Hamilton, Texas
Congratulations are deserved by all twenty-seven competitors. They all did an exceptional job and should be commended for their excellence in skill and craftsmanship.
The MCAA would like to send a big thank you to SpecMix, Inc. for their contribution to the competition. We would also like to thank the other contributing sponsors including Cherokee Brick & Tile Equipment, JESCO, Inc., Mighty Equip, Marshalltown Trowel Co., Southdown, Sterling Handling and Tarmac. Without their support, the competition would not have been possible. In addition, the MCAA would like to thank Bryan Light from the Southern Brick Institute for his assistance.
Due to the tremendous excitement surrounding this competition, plans are already underway for the third annual international Masonry Skills Challenge, which will be held in conjunction with MCAA's Masonry Showcase in Phoenix next February. For more information, please contact Kimberly Shifflette at the MCAA National Office at 800-536-2225.
MASONRY MAY, 2001 45