Jared Gandy won the secondary division of the 45th Annual SkillsUSA National Masonry Contest. His high standards and extraordinary work ethic were surely contributing factors.

"On days when I don't lay brick, I am mowing yards," says Gandy.

A recent graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School in Mt. Pleasant, NC, Gandy was active in FFA and the National Technical Honor Society. During high school, Gandy has worked for two landscaping companies, two masonry companies and an extermination company. It's not that he can't hold a job, he's just a hard worker!When he has spare time, he says enjoys hunting and fishing.

Ryan Shaver, Gandy's masonry instructor, reports that Gandy entered the masonry program as a sophomore.

"He progressed very rapidly in the class and shop. He worked as an apprentice for Alward Masonry during the summers," says Shaver.

Gandy credits his instructors, Doug Drye (longtime instructor now retired) and Shaver. "They have taught me many things; but they always encouraged me to stick with it and try harder."

Entreprenuer that he is, Gandy is currently working for himself, mowing and laying brick!

The annual SkillsUSA National Leadership Conference was held in Kansas City, Mo., June 24 - 27, 2009. The six-hour national masonry contest was held at the H. Roe Bartle Convention Center.