Masonry Magazine August 2010 Page. 14
MAKING THE GRADE
National Contest Supports
Masonry Skills Training and
Development
By J. David Holt
Companies and organizations of the masonry industry joined together June 23 through 25, 2010, to support the 46th Annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference and the National Masonry Contest.
SkillsUSA is a national organization serving high school and college students who are preparing for careers in technical, skilled and service occupations.
For up to six hours, 53 young masons from 36 states competed at Bartle Hall in Kansas City, Mo. Each contestant, using block, brick and mortar, tried to construct the winning project by placing the masonry materials, according to plans, on a concrete block base.
The highlight of the competition was the announcement of the 2010 Gold Medal winner of the post secondary/college competition, Bradley Wright. Wright, a rare three-time winner, is a student of instructor Kenny Allen at Wallace Community College, Selma, Ala. Second place honors went to Jesus Guzman, representing the Arizona Masonry Contractors Association, Phoenix, Ariz. Third place went to Robert Gregory, Francis Tuttle Technology Center, Oklahoma City, Okla.
The 2010 secondary/high school Gold Medal winner was Brandon Boldon of Claiborne High School, New Tazewell, Tenn. Boldon's instructor is John Hatfield. Second place honors went to Matthew DiBara, Montachusett Regional Vo-Tech, Fitchburg, Mass. Third