Apprentices Rise to the Challenge

Words: Derrick Stone, Steven Powers, Oscar Herrera, Vicente Rodriguez, Sam Huhn, Joel Lopez, Roberto Lopez, Nick Martin, Jose NavarrowThe ninth annual International Masonry Skills Challenge at the 2008 MCAA Convention in Las Vegas, NV at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry on January 24, 2008 showed off the best apprentices our industry has to offer. Contestants in first, second and third year skill levels throughout the country came to compete.

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 were tasked with the tough decision of choosing the winners.

The top-placing contestants for each skill level were:
/Public/News/20080213090600-1.jpg" width="300" height="200" border="0" alt="Derrick Stone, 2008 International Masonry Skills Challenge First Year winner.">
Derrick Stone, 2008 International Masonry Skills Challenge First Year winner.

First Year Apprentices

First Place
Derrick Stone
Rick Stone Masonry
Helotes, TX

Second Place
Nick Martin
Leidal and Hart Mason Contractors, Inc.
Livonia, MI

Third Place
Jose Lara Navarrow
Diablo Valley Masonry Industry
Sacramento, CA

/Public/News/20080213090600-2.jpg" width="300" height="200" border="0" alt="Roberto Lopez, 2008 International Masonry Skills Challenge Second Year winner.">
Roberto Lopez, 2008 International Masonry Skills Challenge Second Year winner.

Second Year Apprentices

First Place
Roberto Lopez
Top Quality Masonry
Phoenix, AZ

Second Place
Oscar Herrera
Wasco, Inc.
Nashville, TN

Third Place
Vicente Rodriguez
Karon Masonry of Maryland, LLC.
Beltsville, MD

/Public/News/20080213090600-3.jpg" width="300" height="200" border="0" alt="Steven Powers, 2008 International Masonry Skills Challenge Third Year winner.">
Steven Powers, 2008 International Masonry Skills Challenge Third Year winner.

Third Year Apprentices

First Place
Steven Powers
Edgar Boettcher Mason Contractor, Inc.
Traverse City, MI

Second Place
Sam Huhn
Adams Masonry, Inc.
Chattanooga, TN

Third Place
Joel Lopez
Cornerstone Masonry, Inc.
Salinas, CA

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

The Mason Contractors Association of America would like to thank the judges from across the country for donating their time and expertise, and the sponsors and service and material donors for their contributions including Angelus Block Co., Inc., EZ Scaffold, Hydro Mobile, Inc., Non-Stop Scaffolding, QUIKRETE, SPEC MIX, EZ Grout Corporation, John Spencer Brickwork, Marshalltown Company, Tradesmen’s Software, Inc., P&S Masonry, Inc., Stone Construction Equipment, Bon Tool Co., MK Diamond Products, Inc., and Wasco, Inc.
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