Belton High School students build skills and confidence at Masonry Days

Special to the Journal

Students at Belton High School traded their pencils for trowels during the campus’s two-day Masonry Days event on October 30–31, an immersive learning experience designed to introduce students to the art and science of masonry.

Hosted in partnership with the Texas Masonry Council, the event combined hands-on training, live demonstrations and a friendly wall-building competition that showcased craftsmanship, teamwork and career readiness in action.

Led by Belton ISD Construction Careers teacher Michael Carrillo, the event welcomed both middle and high school students eager to explore the trade.

Carrillo explained that hosting middle schoolers for Masonry Day offered them a unique opportunity to experience the construction industry through engaging activities, industry insights and expert-led training.

“They’re getting a real feel for what this work looks like and the pride that comes with building something lasting,” he said.

Over the course of two days, students learned the fundamentals of masonry with a focus on bricklaying and blockwork. Workshops guided through demonstrations on mortar spreading, blocklaying, and supplier-led presentations before tackling a design challenge and wall-building contest.

Carrillo shared that the lessons went beyond technical ability, emphasizing the importance of providing students with practical skills and insights into the construction industry while fostering creativity, problem-solving and teamwork. It also gives them an appreciation for craftsmanship and safety in building practices.

As part of the event, representatives from Texas State Technical College’s Building Construction Technology program were on hand to recognize outstanding student performance with scholarships valued at $100, $150 and $250. These awards celebrate students’ emerging skills and encourage them to continue exploring pathways in the construction industry.

Denise Ayres, Belton ISD’s Director of PK–12 Career Readiness, said events like Masonry Day bring classroom instruction to life.

“Students have the opportunity to apply the skills they’ve been learning in a real-world setting, working side by side with professionals who use these techniques every day,” she said. “It’s one thing to learn about construction in theory, but it’s another to lay brick, measure for precision and see how craftsmanship, problem-solving and teamwork come together in the field. Experiences like this help students make the direct connection between what they’re learning today and the career pathways available to them tomorrow.”

Ayres added that partnerships like the one with the Texas Masonry Council are essential in preparing students for success beyond high school. “Industry partnerships are vital in preparing students for the future,” she said. “Partners like the Texas Masonry Council help ensure that our programs stay connected to workforce needs, provide students with access to expert mentors, and open doors to internships and job opportunities. These collaborations allow students to experience the standards and expectations of the profession firsthand while building valuable relationships with professionals who invest in their success.”

The event also gave students the chance to build confidence as they took on authentic, hands-on tasks.

“Experiential learning empowers students to see themselves as capable, skilled and employable,” Ayres said. “When students are trusted to take on authentic tasks, they develop a sense of pride and ownership in their work. They gain confidence not only in their technical skills but also in essential employability skills such as communication, perseverance and attention to detail that employers consistently value.”

For many students, the experience was both challenging and rewarding. Senior Bryson Necessary, a TeamWorks Mason and National Silver Medalist, said the event reminded him why he first fell in love with the trade.

“Back when my sophomore-year TeamWorks team needed another guy, the only spot left was masonry,” he recalled. “I hadn’t really thought about it, but once I started trying it, Mr. Carrillo helped me out, and I ended up really enjoying it.”

Although he didn’t compete this time, Necessary said he was eager to watch others learn and create.

“I’m curious to see what everyone can do with their creativity,” he said. “Talking to some of the people really opened my eyes to what’s possible in their futures. I can’t have the same thoughts about the trade that I did just a few days ago.”

Ayres said the event exemplifies Belton ISD’s mission to connect learning with purpose. “Belton ISD’s Career Readiness programs are built on the belief that students learn best when education and real-world experiences intersect,” she said. “Events like Masonry Day link education, industry and opportunity. We’re proud of our teachers for creating meaningful experiences and grateful to our industry partners for helping us prepare students who are ready to lead, contribute, and build the future—literally and figuratively.”