Making the Grade

Student in the Spotlight

Keeping Masonry All In The Family

William Curtis Bynum of Eufaula, Ala., is keeping it all in the family. Curtis and his older brother, Jeffery, are third generation masons. Their father, David; four uncles, Perry, Rodney, Wayne and C.W.; and their grandfather, Malcom, all work as brick masons or mason contractors.

And, as if that were not enough of an influence, Uncles Wayne and C. W. are masonry instructors. In fact, C.W. is Curtis' instructor at Wallace Community College.

Yet, in spite of these influences, Curtis tried being a mechanic and a steel worker before he succumbed to the realization that he really wanted to be a mason all along. "His brother won first place in the post secondary division of the 1997 Skills USA VICA national masonry contest," his uncle C.W. says. "Curtis participated in that same contest this past summer. I think he'll return, and I think he has the experience, talent and motivation to win it."

He ought to know. C.W. Bynum's students have represented the state of Alabama in the national contest 10 times from 1990 through 2002.

Instructor Bynum is proud of his nephew and proud of the masonry department at Wallace Community College. It has developed a cooperative education program that allows students to earn while they learn. "If students have a 2.25 GPA or better after three semesters, they qualify for this program," C.W. Bynum explains. "Like others in our program, my nephew has benefited. His skills improve with on-the-job experience, and he gets paid as well."

Curtis Bynum is employed part-time through this work-study program. His employer? Bynum Masonry, of course. He has worked on projects for the City of Eufaula, the Boys Scouts of America, and a time capsule. Curtis has also contributed numerous hours of his time and masonry talent to not-for-profit projects, including Habitat for Humanity.

While he continues his studies and works as many as 32 hours a week, Curtis Bynum still manages to find time to pursue his hobbies of hunting, fishing and golf.

Note: If you have an apprentice mason to nominate, contact:
J. David Holt,
c/o Holt Marketing Group, Inc.,
1906 Swift, North Kansas City, MO 64116
or fax to 816/842-9989.