71st Annual N.C. State Fair Masonry Apprentice Contest: Building a Workforce One Brick at a Time
Published: October 22, 2025
Raleigh, North Carolina—The scent of fresh mortar filled the air on Monday, October 20, 2025, as 26 Bricklayer Registered Apprentices showcased their craftsmanship in the 71st Annual N.C. State Fair Masonry Apprentice Contest. Hosted by ApprenticeshipNC, the North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association (NCMCA), and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, this event is the longest-running contest of its kind in the nation. Participants, representing nine employers across the state, had three hours to build a complex structure—testing their knowledge, skills, speed, and attention to detail.
A panel of NCMCA judges evaluated each project based on stringent criteria, including plumb, level, square and range, overall neatness, and measurements, measured down to 1/16 of an inch. This year’s contest was especially close, with only three points separating first and second place.
David Hernandez-Herrera of Whitman Masonry earned the top prize. Doug Burton, owner of Whitman Masonry and past president of the NCMCA, praised David and the contest, saying, “It was a pleasant surprise. David is a good employee and a talented apprentice. Apprentices who compete in this contest are at the highest level in the state, so it was an honor to compete and an honor to win.”
All contestants received tool kits for their participation, and the top ten finishers received monetary prizes ranging from $75 to $325.
Top Ten Placements:
- David Hernandez-Herrera–Whitman Masonry
- Ramiro Arvizu–Manning Masonry, Inc.
- Blake Moore–McGee Brothers Co., Inc.
- Khalib Kennedy–McGee Brothers Co., Inc.
- Brandt Huntley–Huntley Brothers Co., Inc.
- Nicolas Sloop–McGee Brothers Co., Inc.
- James Ryan Gaither–McGee Brothers Co., Inc.
- Jacob Helms–McGee Brothers Co., Inc.
- Colsen Palmer–Ridenhour Masonry, Inc.
- Joshua Holder–Whitman Masonry
Officials in attendance included David Smith, Deputy Commissioner of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; Luke Farley, Commissioner of the North Carolina Department of Labor; Dr. Chris Harrington, State Director, ApprenticeshipNC; and Dale Yarborough, Deputy Director, ApprenticeshipNC. They joined attendees in celebrating the apprentices’ achievements. Their presence underscored the significant impact of Registered Apprenticeship programs and the long-term value these initiatives bring to North Carolina’s employers and citizens.
The Masonry Apprentice Contest marked the kickoff of a full week of Registered Apprenticeship-focused activities at the N.C. State Fair. The lineup also includes the Electrical Apprentice Contest on Wednesday, October 22; the Carpentry Pre-Apprentice Contest on Thursday, October 23; and both the HVAC/R Apprentice Contest and the Inaugural Registered Apprenticeship Expo on Friday, October 24. Each event showcases the vital role Registered Apprenticeship plays in building North Carolina’s workforce pipelines. Learn more: ApprenticeshipNC LinkTree.
About ApprenticeshipNC: Recognized by the Office of Apprenticeship to act on behalf of the U.S. Department of Labor, ApprenticeshipNC is the State Apprenticeship Agency and a division of the North Carolina Community College System. The ApprenticeshipNC Team works with employers, educational institutions, and community partners to foster and expand Registered Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship Programs across North Carolina.