Apprentices showcased during Masonry Madness

Words: Calvin Brodie, John Bongiovanni, Paul Contrino, Jim Zuidema, Marcelo Crespi, Joshua Johnson, Al Herndon, Curtis Hoover, Alonza Lewis, Dennis Neal, David Rock, Brian Smith, Zachary Zuidema, Kale Hallman, Kelton McGee, Raymond Wilk, Jimmy Quinteros, Colby Shelkop, Erick Reynoso, Daniel Aller, Brian HalleyThe fifteenth annual Masonry Skills Challenge, held January 22, 2014 during the MCAA Convention at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry in Las Vegas, showed off the best apprentices our industry has to offer.

The Masonry Skills Challenge is a competition of masonry apprentices in first, second and third year skill levels. The contest is a showcase for skills training in the masonry industry, challenging winning apprentices from regional U.S. and foreign competitions to determine the top masonry apprentice at each level. This exciting competition spotlights our industry's finest young masons and focuses attention on careers in the masonry industry.

Each contestant was presented with a project drawing appropriate to their skill level just moments before the competition began. Contestants only had three hours to construct the project based on the materials provided. The final projects looked great; the apprentices should be very proud of their three hours of hard work. The judges were impressed with the quality of the apprentices' construction, and had the tough decision of choosing the winners.

The top-placing contestants for each skill level were:

/Public/News/apprentices-showcased-during-masonry-madness-2.jpg" alt="Kelton McGee, 2014 Masonry Skills Challenge First Year winner" />
Kelton McGee, 2014 Masonry Skills Challenge First Year winner

First Year Apprentices

First Place

Kelton McGee
McGee Brothers, Inc.
Monroe, N.C.

Second Place

Daniel Aller
Giambrone Masonry, Inc.
Hudson, Ohio

Third Place

Zachary Zuidema
Jimmy'Z Masonry Corp.
Crystal Lake, Ill.

/Public/News/apprentices-showcased-during-masonry-madness-3.jpg" alt="Raymond Wilk, 2014 Masonry Skills Challenge Second Year winner" />
Raymond Wilk, 2014 Masonry Skills Challenge Second Year winner

Second Year Apprentices

First Place

Raymond Wilk
District Council Training Center
Addison, Ill.

Second Place

Brian Halley
Leidal & Hart Mason Contractors, Inc.
Livonia, Mich.

Third Place

Erick Reynoso
BAC Local 3
San Leandro, Calif.

/Public/News/apprentices-showcased-during-masonry-madness-4.jpg" alt="Kale Hallman, 2014 Masonry Skills Challenge Third Year winner" />
Kale Hallman, 2014 Masonry Skills Challenge Third Year winner

Third Year Apprentices

First Place

Kale Hallman
McGee Brothers, Inc.
Monroe, N.C.

Second Place

Jimmy Quinteros
Advanced Masonry Systems
Sarasota, Fla.

Third Place

Colby Shelkop
D & D Masonry
Kansas City, Mo.

All winners received trophies, cash prizes, Marshalltown Company tool bags and tools, concrete calculators from Calculated Industries, and levels from Johnson Level. First place winners also received engraved trowels from Marshalltown Company. All contestants received grout scoops and shirts from GROUT GRUNT, a mason’s pack from SPEC MIX, Inc., and additional prizes.

The Mason Contractors Association of America would like to thank the judges from across the country for donating their time and expertise:
  • Al Herndon, Florida Masonry Apprentice and Educational Foundation; Green Cove Springs, Fla.
  • Dennis Neal, Florida Masonry Apprentice and Educational Foundation, Inc.; Sarasota, Fla.
  • John Bongiovanni, Bon Tool Co.; Gibsonia, Pa.
  • Calvin Brodie, Brodie Contractors, Inc.; Raleigh, N.C.
  • Paul Contrino, Henry J. Knott Masonry, Inc.; Timonium, Md.
  • Marcelo Crespi, Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local #4 CA; Irwindale, Calif.
  • Curtis Hoover, Anne Arundel County Public Schools; Severn, Md.
  • Joshua Johnson, Lee County High School; Sanford, N.C.
  • Alonza Lewis, Lexington Technology Center; Columbia, S.C.
  • David Rock, P.C.M., Inc.; Savannah, Ga.
  • Brian Smith, John J. Smith Masonry Company; St. Louis
  • Jim Zuidema, Jimmy'Z Masonry Corp.; Crystal Lake, Ill.
The MCAA would also like to thank the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC) for sponsoring the 2014 Masonry Skills Challenge, and give a special thank you to the sponsors and service/material donors for their contributions including:

Competition Sponsor

  • International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC)

Contributors

  • AZ Best Block
  • The Belden Brick Company
  • GATORBACK, Inc.
  • QUIKRETE
  • SPEC MIX, Inc.

Prize Donations

  • Calculated Industries, Inc.
  • GROUT GRUNT
  • Johnson Level
  • Marshalltown Company
  • SPEC MIX, Inc.

MCAA Strategic Partners

  • Airplaco Equipment Company
  • Big River Industries, Inc.
  • Dow Building Solutions
  • EZ Grout Corporation
  • iQ Power Tools
  • Kennison Forest Products, Inc.
  • Mortar Net Solutions
  • Non-Stop Scaffolding
  • Oldcastle Building Products
  • QUIKRETE
  • SPEC MIX, Inc.
  • Trademen’s Software, Inc.

About the MCAA’s Masonry Skills Challenge

The Masonry Skills Challenge is hosted annually by the MCAA as part of Masonry Madness during the MCAA Convention at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry in Las Vegas. This exciting competition highlights our industry’s finest young masons and focuses attention on careers in the masonry industry.

The 2015 MCAA Masonry Skills Challenge will be held Wednesday, February 4, 2015 during the MCAA Convention at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry in Las Vegas.

For more information about the competition, please visit www.masoncontractors.org.
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