Apprentices Show Their Skills in Orlando

Words: Mark Brown, Jason Walker, Sam Huhn, Elizabeth Cleckley, Roberto Lopez, Gaspar Wielman, Eric Orozco, Tony Woodson, Mark Ferreira, Bon Co, EaCo Chem, EZ Corporation, Lafarge America, Marshalltown Company, QUIKRETE CompaniesThe eighth annual International Masonry Skills Challenge at the Masonry Showcase showed off the best apprentices our industry has to offer. Contestants from across the country came to compete in first, second and third year skill levels. Apprentices showed their stuff for attendees, proving that the masonry industry's skilled workforce is alive and well.

The final projects looked great, and the apprentices should be very proud of their three hours of hard work. The judges were very impressed with the quality of the apprentices' construction, and were tasked with the tough decision of choosing the winners.

The top-placing contestants for each skill level were:

/Public/News/20070312102200-1.jpg" width="300" height="200" border="0" alt="Roberto Lopez, 2007 International Masonry Skills Challenge First Year winner.">
Roberto Lopez, 2007 International Masonry Skills Challenge First Year winner.
First Year Apprentices

First Place
Roberto Lopez
Top Quality Masonry
Phoenix, AZ

Second Place
Gaspar Wielman
Gentry & Painter
Chattanooga, TN

Third Place
Jason Walker
Advanced Masonry
Hunt Valley, MD

/Public/News/20070312102200-2.jpg" width="300" height="200" border="0" alt="Eric Orozco, 2007 International Masonry Skills Challenge First Year winner.">
Eric Orozco, 2007 International Masonry Skills Challenge Second Year winner.
Second Year Apprentices

First Place
Eric Orozco
SS Smith & Sons Masonry
Corpus Christi, TX

Second Place
Sam Huhn
Adams Masonry
Chattanooga, TN

Third Place
Elizabeth Cleckley
Baltimore Masonry, Inc.
Eldersburg, MD

/Public/News/20070312102200-3.jpg" width="300" height="200" border="0" alt="Mark Brown, 2007 International Masonry Skills Challenge Third Year winner.">
Mark Brown, 2007 International Masonry Skills Challenge Third Year winner.
Third Year Apprentices

First Place
Mark Brown
Liedel and Hart
Livonia, MI

Second Place
Tony Woodson
Jenkins Masonry
Chattanooga, TN

Third Place
Mark Ferreira, Jr.
Williams and Sons Masonry, Inc.
Lakeside, CA

All winners received trophies and tool bags, plus first place winners received $1,000, second place winners $500 and $250 to third-place winners.

The Mason Contractors Association of America would like to thank the judges from across the country for the donation of their expertise, and the sponsors and materials donors for their contributions including Bon Tool Co., CEMEX, EaCo Chem, Inc., EZ Grout Corporation, Inc., EZ Scaffold, FRACO, Harwood Brick, Lafarge North America, Marshalltown Company, MK Diamond Products, Inc., Mortar Net USA LTD., Non-stop Scaffolding, The QUIKRETE Companies and SPEC MIX, Inc.
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