WILMINGTON — Three Laurel Oaks Masonry students are headed to state competition after being judged the best in a January skills contest.
Jesse Huff, a senior from East Clinton High School, took first place. Junior Gary Sykes of Wilmington was second, and senior Ron Sears of Hillsboro took third place. They will represent Laurel Oaks in state SkillsUSA competition in Columbus.
Other students who placed in local competition were Rachael Wisecup of Hillsboro (fourth place), Dustin Palmer of East Clinton (fifth place), and Brad Smith of Wilmington (sixth place).
The students were given a set of plans, a pile of materials, and a limited time to build a brick and block wall.
Huff and Syke also received professional levels from Crick Tools, and Sears received one from Wayne Dance of Dance Masonry in Hillsboro.
SkillsUSA is a national student organization. The SkillsUSA competition gives students in career-technical high school programs the chance to test their skills and be judged by professionals in their field.
