GEN NXT: Skills Competition Winners

Words: Justin Stengel

This month, the MCAA got the opportunity to sit down with the 2025 Skills Competition 1st place winners. First Year mason Michael McKee, Second Year mason Mason Ridenhour, and Third Year mason Alec Huntley did what it took to be the best at World Of Concrete this year. Placing first over numerous other skillful competitors is no easy task and shouldn't go unrecognized. Get to know these apprentices and what got them to a First Place trophy!

Alec Huntley, Third Year Winner

MCAA: What inspired you to pursue a career in masonry, and how has participating in the Skills Challenge influenced your career path?

Alec: I have always grown up around masonry. I am a 6th generation brick mason and being around my family of brick masons, I have watched many competitions and it inspired me to learn and compete in the skills challenge.


MCAA: What was your initial reaction when you found out you were competing at the national level, and how did you mentally prepare for the challenge?

Alec: When I first found out I was competing in nationals I was excited but very nervous. I prepared by practicing and keeping a positive attitude.


MCAA: What skills or techniques do you believe set you apart from the other competitors in your skill level?

Alec: I lay brick everyday and it is nothing new to me. Keeping it level and plum was my main goal while laying the project.


MCAA: How do you prepare for a competition like this, and what advice would you give to future participants?

Alec: I prepared for this competition by practicing a lot with good teachers. For future competitors they should keep a positive attitude and never give up.


MCAA: What does winning this competition mean to you personally and professionally?

Alec: Winning this competition means a lot to me. I grew up watching my older cousins win and it motivated me to win. Professionally it’s just another day.

 




Mason Ridenhour, Second Year Winner

 MCAA: What inspired you to pursue a career in masonry, and how has participating in the Skills Challenge influenced your career path?

Mason: My dad Michael Ridenhour and my grandfather Glenn Ridenhour inspired me to pursue my career in masonry. I'm 3rd generation and I’ve been around it my whole life. It's all I know and I love it. I feel like the skills challenge has influenced my career path by helping tone my masonry skills and better my knowledge


MCAA: What was your initial reaction when you found out you were competing at the national level, and how did you mentally prepare for the challenge?

Mason: I was at first nervous and worried about how I would perform, I mentally prepared by trusting myself and my skills and continued to practice to keep my focus straight.


MCAA: What skills or techniques do you believe set you apart from the other competitors in your skill level?

Mason: I believe my determination and work ethic set me apart from the other competitors and some of the techniques my dad and grandfather showed me that they have both learned and acquired over their years of experience.


MCAA: How do you prepare for a competition like this, and what advice would you give to future participants?

Mason: I practiced as much and as hard as I could whenever I could. I put practicing for the competition first before I did anything else. I was very hard on myself to be prepared for what was to come. The best advice I can give future participants is to practice and be open minded to everything and take any opportunity you can to learn.


MCAA: What does winning this competition mean to you personally and professionally?

Mason: Winning this competition personally was a big milestone for me because I set such a high goal for myself and to reach it successfully was very rewarding for me. Mentally for me it was about the title not about the money or prizes I wanted my name to be known. And professional It’s going to help me in the business spectrum with getting my name out and helping me gain and attract business and jobs


 




Michael McKee, First Year Winner

MCAA: What inspired you to pursue a career in masonry, and how has participating in the Skills Challenge influenced your career path?

Michael: I did a masonry career tech program in high school, so that and my instructor in the class were my biggest motivators to pursue a career in masonry. Skills Challenges have not only improved my skills, but given me something to strive for.


MCAA: What was your initial reaction when you found out you were competing at the national level, and how did you mentally prepare for the challenge?

Michael: I felt excited to continue competing. To mentally prepare myself I studied the project, and planned out how I was going to build it.


MCAA: What skills or techniques do you believe set you apart from the other competitors in your skill level?

Michael: I don't feel I'm much different from other competitors, perhaps I pay more attention to the small details.


MCAA: How do you prepare for a competition like this, and what advice would you give to future participants?

Michael: I did not do anything special to prepare for the competition. I figured I would just try my best. My advice for future competitors is to pay attention to what you're doing, and not think too much into it. It's just another day on the job.


MCAA: What does winning this competition mean to you personally and professionally?

Michael: To me winning the competition was a great personal and professional accomplishment.

 





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