Female teen mason invited to a different national competition [View all]

[oberliner]

Shania Clifford will compete on a national stage after all.

Despite placing first in the SkillsUSA Ohio Masonry competition, which should have guaranteed her a spot in the national leadership and skills conference, the 17-year-old from Scioto County was later told she took third because of a problem with the score sheets.

...

Since the story ran in Sunday's Dispatch, many have responded. The story, which has been read more than 300,000 times online, led to the Mason Contractors Association of America to step in and offer Clifford the opportunity to compete in its national convention next year. Clifford said she plans to attend.

"I figured it'd be a great opportunity to right a wrong," said Tim O'Toole, association spokesman.

She has received an outpouring of support on Facebook and on Dispatch.com and has even received a job offer. An online petition had garnered more than 800 supporters as of Tuesday afternoon.

Clifford called the response "overwhelming," adding that she is excited to have so many supporters.

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2016/06/21/Masonry-competitor-invitation.html

Relates to this earlier thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=7934376