The North Carolina Mason

May/June 2019 The North Carolina Mason Page 9 nish their work. e higher the value we place on our fraternity, men will be inspired to participate in something they have had to save and work for. If you need to justify the price, include your lodge's dues in the initiation fee and hand that man a dues card when he is raised. It never feels right to raise a man, then hand him a bill before he leaves the room. We have so undervalued this fraternity that the public sees no value in our existence. Men do not &ock to our doors to join because there's no eort required of them to do so. e creation of value creates stability, and ultimately, success. Brethren, what is the value of your Masonry? I believe we have proven that being cheap is not the answer. So mote it be. VALUE, from page 8 It's an impressive alma mater: Wilkerson College. But it's not for every Mason. In fact, it was designed with one mission: to provide Freemasonry with the best-trained leaders. Jointly sponsored by the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Orient of North Carolina and the NC Grand Lodge, each class is limited in size and preference goes to lodge deacons under the premise that our best investment is in the future of o!cers who have several years to work and plan for his year as Master. e curriculum covers most of the Masonic universe, including the origins and traditions of Freemasonry. But most of the training focuses on hands-on leadership: budgeting, lodge operations, membership services, and eective charity and communications strategies. Trainers are charged with helping to provide each student with a well-rounded exposure to the tools they need to con- dently and eectively lead his lodge, his fraternity, and his community. Sessions are held at White- Stone, the Masonic Home for Children and in Raleigh at the Grand Lodge and a nearby conference center. (Students get to tour all three Masonic locations.) is year, Wilkerson oered two concurrent sessions; trainers taught at each session to two sets of students. Each instructor is a recognized Masonic leader. Graduates are honored at the end of the sessions each year at a gradu- ation ceremony, where each is given a "diploma" certifying him as an o!cial Wilkerson College graduate. Consider applying for the 2020 session. Details will be posted here in October: http:// www.wilkersoncollege.com/ admissions.html Wilkerson College graduates new class of Masonic leaders OUR OBLIGATION TO BUILD LEADERS WINNERS AT THE 2019 PIG JIG 2019 CATHEY SCHOLARSHIPS A North Carolina lodge swept the top awards at this year's Carolina Pig Jig, the 14th annual homage to barbecue held in conjunction with the Got to Be NC Festival. Some 25 teams compete each year to smoke the tastiest pork barbecue and chicken. The event is open to the public to sample all-you-can-eat BBQ, sides, and more for $15 a head. Everyone gets a vote on who did it best. All participants volunteer their time to the event and all proceeds go to charity. Grand Champion: Joseph Warren #92, NC Grand Lodge, Stantonsburg, NC Team Spirit Award: Mentor #55, Prince Hall, Raleigh, NC People's Choice: Rhamkatte #827, Prince Hall, Raleigh, NC Sauce Category: 1st Place: Joseph Warren #92, NC Grand Lodge, Stantonsburg, NC 2nd: Golden Star #150, Prince Hall, Fuquay-Varina, NC 3rd: Spurmont #98, Strasburg, Va. Chicken Category: 1st: Joseph Warren #92, NC Grand Lodge, Stantonsburg, NC 2nd: Oak Grove #750, NC Grand Lodge, Durham, NC 3rd: Saint Annah #350, Prince Hall, Raleigh, NC Pork Category: 1st: Joseph Warren #92, NC Grand Lodge, Stantonsburg, NC 2nd: William G. Hill #218, NC Grand Lodge, Raleigh, NC 3rd: Doric #30, Millville, Del. Fifteen students have been awarded the Charles Edward Cathey Scholarship for 2019. In 2000, Grand Master Charles Cathey initiated a drive to raise money for scholar- ships that could be awarded to deserving North Carolina students. NC Masons generously supported his call to help send graduating high school seniors to college. Because of his tireless efforts on behalf of education, the scholarship was named in his honor. Each student receives a scholarship of $1,000. Winners are: • Tanner Barnhill, Clarendon, South Columbus HS • David Caldwell, Charlotte, Myers Park HS • Samuel Cornwell, Shelby, Burns HS • Taylor Dunn, Winterville, D. H. Conley HS • Julia Fuller, Ocracoke, Ocracoke School • Megan Gardner, Clinton, Sampson EC HS • Austin Heath, Leland, North Bruns- wick HS • Zachary Knight, Stokesdale, Dalton McMichael HS • Aaron Meadows, Havelock, Havelock HS • Aiyana Polk, Belmont, Stuart W. Cramer HS • Lauren Robinson, West Jefferson, Ashe County HS • Jillian Scharf, Willow Spring, Fuquay- Varina HS • Nathaniel Sheets, Mount Airy, East Surry HS • Addie Smyth, Statesville, Statesville HS • Sabrina Williams, Stella, Swansboro HS

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