September 2009: Making the Grade

Jared Gandy:?? Winner and Entrepreneur

Jared Gandy is the winner of the secondary division of the 45th Annual SkillsUSA National Masonry Contest, thanks to his high standards and extraordinary work ethic.

A recent graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School in Mt. Pleasant, N.C., Gandy was active in the Future Farmers of America and the National Technical Honor Society. During high school, Gandy has worked for two landscaping companies, two masonry companies and an extermination company. And although he’s such a proven hard worker, he enjoys hunting and fishing during what spare time he has.

Jared Gandy works meticulously during the 45th Annual SkillsUSA contest.

Gandy entered his high school masonry program as a sophomore.

“He progressed very rapidly in the class and shop,” says Ryan Shaver, Gandy’s masonry instructor. “He worked as an apprentice for Alward Masonry during the summers.”

Gandy credits Shaver for much of his success as a mason, along with Doug Drye, his former longtime instructor who is now retired.

Jared Gandy is hard at work as a mason.

“They have taught me many things, but they always encouraged me to stick with it and try harder,” says Gandy. Being the entrepreneur that he is, Gandy is currently working for himself, mowing lawns and laying brick.

The annual SkillsUSA National Leadership Conference was held in Kansas City, Mo., June 24 – 27, at the H. Roe Bartle Convention Center.