Masonry Magazine May 2002 Page. 34
MAKING
GRADE
Student in the spotlight
YOUNG MASON FOLLOWS
IN FAMILY FOOTSTEPS
Ronald Yokimcus, Jr., of Finleyville, Penn., is our Masonry Apprentice of the Month. Yokimcus is a hard-working young mason who first learned the trade from his father and grandfather. Ron, Sr., is active in the trade, and Ron's grandfather is retired after 40 years in the trade.
"Ive worked with my Dad since I was 9 years old when I started cleaning up his job sites. Dad bought me a level and taught me to lay my first brick when I was 13. I never really wanted to do anything else," Yokimcus says.
Yokimcus graduated from Ringgold High School and Mon Valley Career & Technology Center in Charleroi, Penn. He is a proud member of the Pennsylvania Bricklayers and Allied Craft Workers Union #9 and works full-time for Marsa, Inc. of Pittsburgh, Penn.
Yokimcus earned third place honors in the secondary division of the national masonry contest held last summer in Kansas City, Mo., in conjunction with the Skills USA-VICA National Leadership and Skills Conference.
Ron Yokimcus, Jr. is pictured putting the finishing touches on his composite project at the national masonry contest last summer in Kansas City, Mo. His efforts earned him third place honors in the secondary division.
His instructor at Mon Valley, Jeff Yanits, says of Yokimcus, "Ron has excellent work habits. He maintained an 'A' average in school and was a member of the National Vocational Technical Honor Society."
Note: If you have an apprentice mason to nominate, contact J. David Holt, clo Holt Marketing Group, Inc., 1906 Swift, North Kansas City, MO 64116 or fax to (816) 842-9989.