Masonry Magazine May 2003 Page. 48
MCAA - 2003 Masonry Showcase Review
Apprentices Show Their Skills
On March 15th, the fourth annual International Masonry Skills Challenge took place inside the Tampa Convention Center during the Masonry Showcase Exhibition. Twenty-two apprentices from the U.S. and Canada showed off their capabilities for three hours of intensive work constructing a project appropriate to their skill level.
After close scrutiny by the panel of judges using ten different criteria including plumb, level, square and range, and measurements, the winners were announced by the Chairman of the event, Don Attfield (Canadian Masonry Contractors Association, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada), for first, second-and third-year apprentice skill levels.
Introducing
PLUMB-RITE!
Perfect Vertical Joints Every Time!
Helps keep vertical joints in precise alignment when control joints and expansion joints are used in masonry walls. Saves time and money. Once Plumb-Rite is installed, it isn't necessary to plumb wall again. T-shaped PVC construction is light enough for quick, easy installation by one mason. Installs against wood, steel, and block backups with nails, screws, or mastic. Rigid enough to keep a 3/8" vertical joint consistently straight. Flexible enough, with special slotted stem, to allow expansion of brick. Standard 10-foot piece may be cut into shorter lengths at site. Distributed exclusively by WIRE-BOND. We're shipping Plumb-Rite now! Call us today at 1-800-849-6722. Visit our website at www.wirebond.com.
The winners were:
1st year apprentices
First Place
Darryl McNeil, E.G.S. Inc., Md.
Second
John Nero, Frank Brown and Sons
Masonry, Ohio
Third
Cruz Cervantes, Bickey Construction.
Fla.
2nd year apprentices
First Place
Steve Koontz, Crest Masonry, Ohio
Second
Kevin Willis, L.F. Jennings, Va.
Third
Luke Balsingh, Masonry Builders, Fla.
3rd year apprentices
First Place
Chris Sutherland, Red Brookshire of Florida, Fla.
Second
Chris Coljohn, Medhurst Mason Contractors, Inc., Ohio
Third
Ryan Winkler, Canadian Mason Contractors Association, Ontario
The event was made possible by donations of materials and prizes from:
Spec Mix
Marshalltown Trowel
Hanson Brick
CSR Rinker
For more information about the competition, contact Melissa Polivka, MCAA Director of Workforce Development, at (800) 536-2225 or mpoliv- ka@masoncontractors.com.