Feeling confident in competition with his project. Photo courtesy of Sam Berryman.
In the world of skilled trades where tradition meets innovation Sam Berryman’s path into the masonry industry is more than a career choice. It’s a legacy inspired by his great-grandfather, a master mason and educator who shared not only his craft but also his name. Berryman discovered early that working with his hands felt like home.
The Berks County, Pennsylvania native’s rise in the trade has been nothing short of remarkable. In 2025, Berryman clinched the college/postsecondary gold medal in Masonry at the SkillsUSA Championships in Atlanta. The victory marked his fourth consecutive national medal — a rare feat — following a high school silver in 2022, a high school bronze in 2023, and back-to-back college golds in 2024 and 2025.
His success is the result of skill, stamina and an unwavering work ethic. At nationals, Masonry competitors must construct a complex brick-and-block project in just six hours, meet rigorous industry quality standards, and ace a written exam. Berryman thrives under that kind of pressure. Alongside SkillsUSA achievements, he’s won the Spec Mix Bricklayer 500 Junior competition three times!
In 2024, his SkillsUSA victory made history, earning the first-ever masonry gold for Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology and the first for SkillsUSA Pennsylvania since 2007. Thaddeus Stevens, a public technical college serving about 1,500 students, has long been known for producing highly skilled graduates. Berryman is now part of that legacy. His journey began at the Berks Career and Technology Center under instructor Michael Kern, whose mentorship helped him develop both technical skills and professional discipline. Later, at Thaddeus Stevens College, instructor Michael Gardner built on that foundation, guiding Berryman toward championship-level mastery.
For Berryman, masonry is as much about people as it is about mortar and brick. “You have to be willing to work as a team and not just by yourself,” he says. “Nothing great happens with just one person. Teamwork is what separates a good mason from a great mason.”
The rewards of masonry, he adds, are tangible and deeply satisfying. “The most challenging part is also the most rewarding part: the hard work. I like working with my hands and having a sense of accomplishment after it’s all done.”
Looking ahead, Berryman plans to spend a decade or more in the field before moving into teaching, a goal inspired by his instructors Kern and Gardner. “They’ve helped so many students grow. I strive to be just like them one day. I also want to build my own house in the future.”
To anyone considering the trade, his advice is straightforward: “If you’re willing to put in the hard work, join us. It’s rewarding beyond measure. Masonry has given me so many opportunities. It’s unbelievable what it’s done for my life and my family.”
What was winning like? In a word, amazing. “Winning college gold for Pennsylvania and for Thaddeus Stevens was a huge honor. I push myself every year, and it was a great experience to see how my skills measured up against the best in the country.”
Today, Berryman is a full-time mason with Witmer Group in Mt. Joy, Penn. Right now he is focused on getting better at his craft and taking on more challenging work. Down the road, he would like to take on more creative brick projects that combine craftsmanship with design, and help teach other young masons coming into the field.
“My instructors this year were Mr. Mike Gardner and Mr. Chad Hummel, and they were a big part of my success. Working on two student-built houses in college taught me a lot. I’m thankful for all the teachers who’ve shaped my path and I’ve learned something from each of them.”
Sam Berryman’s story is proof that with passion, dedication and a willingness to learn — the path you literally build for yourself can lead anywhere, one brick at a time.
This story and the photos are used with permission from the Masonry Association and adapted from an article they published in Masonry Magazine written by Cassandra Stern. See the original article here.
