Masonry Contest at N.C. State Fair Words: Dan Kamys Masonry Contest at N.C. State Fair Shown are: (top row) Gary Manning, contest judge; Jared Gandy, 2nd place; Rhett Hallman, 1st place; Calvin Brodie, contest planning committee; and Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry. (bottom row) Justin Helms, 5th place; Chris Lunsford, 4th place; Macy Williams, 3rd place; and Doug Burton, head judge. Rhett Hallman was the 1st-place winner at the 56th Annual Masonry Apprentice Contest at the North Carolina State Fair in October. Hallman, who works for McGee Brothers Co., won a $325 premium from the State Fair, a plaque and an assortment of sponsor prizes for his efforts. Apprenticeships have been the backbone of North Carolina’s work preparation programs for more than 70 years. Apprenticeship combines on-the-job training with related classroom instruction to prepare exceptional workers for North Carolina and America’s industry. Jared Gandy, who also works for McGee Brothers Co., placed second. Macy Williams, who works for Brodie Contractors, took home 3rd-place honors. Fifteen masonry apprentices competed in the contest. To be eligible to compete, apprentices must be registered in the occupation and training with an employer with a program registered with the N.C. Department of Labor.