Builders Members Tapped to Judge SkillsUSA Competition

Several members of The Builders spent the day recently judging the SkillsUSA District 10 Competition hosted by the Lawrence County Career and Technical Center. SkillsUSA is a national student organization that develops employability, participatory and leadership skills to complement the occupational skills of students in technical education classrooms or work-based learning programs.

Builders members judging the carpentry division were Gale and Geoff Measel of GEM Building Contractors & Developers, Inc., and Harry Grafton, of Grafton Construction, Inc. Builders members judging the masonry competition were Builders President Ed Stevens of Stevens Masonry Construction, Inc., and Frank and Tom Swidzinski of T. Swidzinski Masonry.

Carpentry contestants performed work that included roof framing, stair stringer, interior finish, and mathematics. Masonry competitors demonstrated safe brick and masonry techniques, the proper use of hand and measuring tools, masonry levels, point joints, brick and structural tile cleaning, and laying brick and blocks. Judging was based on safety, proper dress, quality, accuracy and thoroughness of workmanship, ability to complete the project on time, proper use and care of tools, and a proper work attitude.

Students from the Mercer County Area Vocation-Technical School and the Lawrence County Career and Technical Centers joined other participants from area high schools and career, technical/technology, and vocational centers for the competition. Students that won the District 10 competition advance to the SkillsUSA State competition in Hershey, PA in April.