September 29, 2003 11:19 AM CDT

Masonry Skills Challenge - Coming to a Town Near You!

By Melissa Polivka

With the fall semester underway in many masonry training programs across the country, students are getting prepared to compete in local Masonry Skills Challenge contests for a chance to appear in the International contest in March at the Masonry Showcase in Las Vegas. Only the top apprentice from each MCAA region in each skill level is invited to attend, so the stakes are high at these contests.

This year's International Challenge will feature increased competition for these young men and women, since additional MCAA regions have arranged to send contestants. The field will be bigger, and the excitement will be greater because of some other changes we've made to the format:

• The contest will occur on Tuesday, March 23- the opening day of the Masonry Showcase. Apprentices will enjoy a bigger audience to cheer them on and admire their work, a more exciting atmosphere, and greater interest in the winner's presentation- which will take place while the Showcase floor is open.
• The Fastest Trowel Competition will occur on Wednesday, March 24. Having the Skills Challenge separate from this contest will concentrate excitement and interest on the apprentices, and allow them to attend or tender the Fastest Trowel event without being distracted by their own upcoming competition.

With these changes and additions, the fifth annual Challenge in Las Vegas will be a showcase of talent and a "must-see" event. For more information about registering your apprentices or coming to watch the action, contact Melissa Polivka at MCAA at 800-536-2225.

---

About the Author

Melissa Polivka spent time as the Director of Marketing, Director of Membership, and Director of Workforce Development for the Mason Contractors Association of America.