Masonry Institute’s Masonry Skills Challenge

Words: Jason Walker, Elizabeth Cleckley, Jason Thrift, Ever Castillo, Juan Conteras, Felipe Morales, Rudy Alvero, Jason Shultz, Eric MartinezOn September 23, 25 apprentices came to compete in The Masonry Institute’s Seventh Annual Masonry Skills Challenge at Betco-Supreme Old Castle Company in Manassas, Virginia. The company’s generous support of manpower, materials and the facility made this event possible. They even catered lunch for all the participants, as well as the fans that came to support them.

The breakdown of the classes was 15 contestants in the first-year, eight contestants in the second-year and four contestants in the third-year categories.

The finalists are:

Third Year
First Place - Jason Thrift, KaRon Masonry
Second Place - Ever Castillo, Baltimore Masonry
Third Place - Juan Conteras, JD Long Masonry

Second Year
First Place - Elizabeth Cleckley, Baltimore Masonry
Second Place - Felipe Morales, KaRon Masonry
Third Place - Rudy Alvero, JD Long Masonry

First Year
First Place - Jason Walker, Advanced Masonry
Second Place - Jason Shultz, JD Long Masonry
Third Place - Eric Martinez, KaRon Masonry

First place contestants received a $500 prize, second place received $250 and third place received $100. All contestants received tools, hard hats and bags, so no one went away empty handed.

In February 2007, the first-place finishers travel to Orlando to participate in the MCAA International Masonry Skills Challenge. At the nationals finals last year, Jason Thrift finished first in the second - year category and Elizabeth Cleckley finished second in the first - year category. It looks like our region has another good chance to bring home more gold!

For more information, visit www.masonryinstitute.us.
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