The North Carolina Mason

MHCO Alumnus Becomes Print Shop Manager By Thomas Boyd Some of the most defining moments of a person's life start when they are young. Up until the age of 11, I lived in abusive and broken households. At that time, I was placed into a residential facility in South Carolina. It had the structure that I needed, but at the time didn't realize. My time in South Carolina was short, but much needed. It started me on the path that would help shape my future. At the age of 13 I was placed at the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford (MHCO). Like the residential facility I had previously came from, this one too had the structure and stability I needed in my life. This new facility also provided me with something I had never yet experienced, the feeling of safety, comfort, and love, a real home. MHCO is truly a great place to be a kid. It's a place that allowed me so many positive experiences. I had great mentors that helped guide and teach me; but most importantly I had a family, one that helped and supported me every step of the way in every aspect of my life. In 2010, I graduated from J.F. Webb High School; that very same year I began classes to receive my Associates Degree in Automotive Systems Technology at Vance Granville Community College (VGCC). I graduated with this degree in 2013. During my time attending VGCC I became a part- time intern at The School of Graphic Arts Print and Design Center (SGA) (formerly known as The Oxford Orphanage School of Printing), located on the MHCO campus. Shortly before my internship began, SGA Pressman Wayne Roberson informed Administration that he would be retiring in a few years. I was still a resident at MHCO during this time, living in the Independent Living Program (ILP), when I was asked about my interest in possibly becoming the next Pressman of the print shop; to learn all the knowledge that Wayne had accumulated over his 40 years in the printing business. I accepted the challenge and wouldn't have changed it for the world. Through this internship I gained valuable life skills and knowledge about printing from all the staff at SGA, especially Wayne. After a few months I became a full-time employee of SGA and over the course of the next 10 years I was guided from Pressman to Assistant Manager to now Manager of the shop. As an alum of MHCO and now Manager of SGA Print and Design Center, I plan to uphold and maintain the goals and initiatives that initially started MHCO and SGA so many years ago. Goals and initiatives that help children and young adults learn valuable skills and build a strong work ethic that will prepare them for their future as was done for myself, so many others, and will continue to do for many years to come. MHCO Sesquicentennial Celebration in 2023 On February 13, 2023, MHCO will turn 150 years young! Please mark your calendars to join in the year-long celebration. Special events include a kickoff Black Tie Dinner on February 11. Admiral Bill PHIL ANT HPY: OUR MONIC CHILDREN 24 | T H E M A S O N M AGA Z I N E

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