Masonry Magazine September 2001 Page. 44
SKILLS COMPETITION/continued from page 42
Contractors Association of America. Shifflette served as the Chairman of the Masonry Technical Committee for the first year.
The contest was supported by generous donations of concrete block by Miller Materials and brick from Yankee Hill Brick. Spec Mix donated the mortar and the laborer "mudslingers" for the contest.
Sustaining members and sponsors of the contest included Bon Tool Co., the Brick Industry Association, the Masonry Contest Technical Committee, Marshalltown Trowel Co., the Mason Contractors Association of America, the National Concrete Masonry Association, the Portland Cement Association and Spec Mix.
Technical committee members for this year's masonry contest were Chairman Kimberly Shifflette, Mason Contractors Association; Carl Bongiovanni, Jr., Bon Tool Co.; Brian Carney, Spec Mix, Inc.; Nelson Cooney, Brick Institute of America; Nick Gabbard, Brick Association of the Carolinas; Jimmy Harrell, Turnkey Masonry Supply Co.; Harry Junk, National Concrete Masonry Association; Bryan Light, Southern Brick Institute; Heather Loney, Marshalltown Trowel Co.; John Melander, Portland Cement Association; Bob Melton, Masonry Institute of Tennessee; and Elinor Shemeld, Associated General Contractors of America.
During the VICA Conference, over 4,000 outstanding vocational students, all state and regional champions, competed in 72 different trade, technical and leadership competitions. The contests effectively demonstrated their expertise in occupational skills required for trades such as electronics, technical drafting, precision machining, auto repairs, culinary arts and masonry.
RUDY INSPIRES YOUNG MASONS
Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger, whose struggle to play football for Notre Dame University was immortalized in the 1993 movie "Rudy," was the guest speaker at a luncheon held in honor of the contestants in the 37th annual National Masonry Contest.
Rudy was well-received, earning a standing ovation upon his introduction and another when he concluded his inspirational presentation. Following Rudy's talk, nearly every one of the contest participants (and their instructors) rushed the stage for photographs with Rudy and autographs. Some brought hard hats, tapes of the movie and trowels to be autographed.
Rudy's talk focused on the qualities necessary for success in life. He focused on character, commitment, courage and contribution. He told the young masons to seek out friends and acquaintances with positive outlooks and mentors who would encourage them. He challenged them to be the best masons they can be. "The reward," Rudy said, "will be the satisfaction of being selected to build a home or other structure for a nice person and having the power to decide whether to even bother accepting a job for the class bully!"
Fifty-one contestants participated in the National Masonry Contest held in conjunction with the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA) National Skills and Leadership Conference in Kansas City, MO.
2001 National Masonry Contest Winners
# High School (Secondary) Competition
1st Place: Garrett Hood,
Central Cabarrus High School, Concord, NC
2nd Place: Brian Anderson,
Hartford Vo-Tech High School, Bel Air, MD
3rd Place: Ron Yokimcus, Mon Valley CTC, Charleroi, PA
# Post Secondary Competition
1st Place: Keith Parker,
Williamson Free School of Mechanical
Trades, Media, PA
2nd Place: Scott Wesson,
Caldwell County Career Center, Hudson, NC
3rd Place: Maximiliano Ramirez,
Manatee Tech Institute, Bradenton, FL
44 MASONRY SEPTEMBER, 2001