What’s In It For You?
The 19th Annual Top Notch Trowel & Jim Broncatello Perpetual Trophy competition is like no other. It’s totally fun, and invites high school masonry students to build projects in 4 divisions of competition: straight lead, sample panel, corner lead, and 8 ft. long wall. Held at Boys Republic School in Chino Hills with host Instructor Steve Perez, this unique prestigious masonry skills competition is important for the future of our industry!
Who’s Got Skills?
SkillsUSA 51st Annual California State Conference masonry high school students were given a timed challenge at the Ontario Convention Center event. Warren High School in Downey competitors were Leonardo Luna and Michelle Perez. From Victor Valley High School in Victorville competitors were Anthony Torres and Ricardo Perez. Barb DeLay with Product Presentations was there from load in to final scores. BIG thanks to our MITA members for supporting this high school event. Thanks for materials, suppliers, instructors and contractor members for judging. Thanks to MITA Apprentices who enthusiastically volunteered to be tenders for masonry and TeamWorks competitors too! Winning 1st Place Michelle had the highest overall score and won the privilege to compete at SkillsUSA Nationals!
Last Class? Or Party of the Year!
Does your Apprentice Bricklayers classroom look like this? MITA’s does! Forget the desks and chairs. Now it’s time for the end of the school year celebration! Young masons in training build indoor barbeques, ready for charcoal, and get the grill going! Complete with beverage areas ready for ice, drinks, and full size buffet service stations. Cheers to MITA Apprentices, masonry Instructor Kennie Ott, Chaffey Adult School, and Ontario High School! These masonry students build it and bring it. It’s a pot luck extravaganza, everyone enjoys the food, drinks, and fun.
The Golden Trowel and a Decade Teaching
Masonry instructor Dave Ratynski was honored for his ten years of teaching and celebrated with a presentation of MITA’s Golden Trowel Award. MITA Apprentices, Journeymen, and Apprentice Committee VIPs gathered at Dave’s last class. On the student built grill at the masonry lab, we shared sincere thanks to Dave for his years training masons for the greater good of our industry!
