Apprentices Show their 'Skills' to the Industry

Words: Josh Morrison, Elizabeth Cleckley, Terrance Vaughn, Daniel Sikorski, Jason Thrift, Renato Ramirez, Esteban Gonzales, Juan Capitillo, Esteban AlarconThe seventh annual International Masonry Skills Challenge at Masonry Showcase in Las Vegas showed off the best apprentices our industry has to offer. Twenty-two contestants from across the country came to compete in first, second, and third year skill levels. This year's designs were both innovative and difficult, as they incorporated stone and new patterns.

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. Here are the results:


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Daniel Sikorski
First Year Apprentices
1st place: Daniel Sikorski
District Council Training Center, Addison, Illinois

2nd place: Elizabeth Cleckley
Baltimore Masonry, Eldersburg, Maryland

3rd place: Terrance Vaughn
Masonry Developers Inc., Rochester, Michigan


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Jason Thrift
Second Year Apprentices
1st place: Jason Thrift
Karon Masonry, Beltsville, Maryland

2nd place: Renato Ramirez
Brazos Masonry Inc., Waco, Texas

3rd place: Esteban Gonzales
Rhino Masonry, Mesa, Arizona


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Juan Capitillo
Third Year Apprentices
1st place: Juan Capitillo
DMG Masonry Inc., Arlington, Texas

2nd place: Josh Morrison
McGee Brothers Company Inc., Monroe, North Carolina

3rd place: Esteban Alarcon
Thomas Masonry, Valley Center, California


MCAA would like to thank the judges from across the country for the donation of their expertise, and we would thank the sponsors and materials donors for their contributions.

Contest sponsors: Building Stone Institute, CEMEX, Cosella Doerken, EZ Grout, EZ Scaffold, Fraco, Gehl, JLG, Lafarge North America, MK Diamond Products, Mortar Net, Non-Stop Scaffolding, and Spec Mix.

Materials contributed by: Bon Tool, Buechel Stone, EZ Grout, Gatorback, Quikrete, Rinker, and Summit Brick.

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