(July 1, 2008) Graduates from Stanly Community College’s Carolina Auction Academy (CAA), were in attendance at the Auctioneers Association of North Carolina (AANC) summer conference in Charlotte, NC on June 20-22. In addition to the educational seminars offered, AANC also conducted a “rookie contest” for auctioneers who have been licensed for two years or less.
The contestants compete in an interview process on Friday to share their knowledge of the industry, professionalism and marketing. On Saturday night they compete in a live auction format where they auction three items to a room full of established auctioneers and their families. A team of four judges made up of two prior State champions, and an auctioneer from JB King in Alabama (representing the National Auctioneer Association), had the difficult task of judging the ten contestants and determining the winners.
Each judge completed their score sheets independently and the sheets were tallied by the Executive Management Staff. Winners this year were: Rookie Champion—Tom Burke from Charlotte, NC; Reserve Champion—Mitch Hadley from Matthews, NC; and Runner-up Champion—Sonny Weeks from Concord, NC. All three winners are graduates of Carolina Auction Academy. Three other recent CAA graduates entered the contest and did very well—Will Albritton from Mineral Springs, NC;
Brett Baucom from Monroe, NC; and Jeff Hamilton from Polkton, NC.
CAA instructors: Eli Detweiler, Ivan Broadwell, Gary Boyd, Bill O’Neal, and Betty O’Neal were in attendance. “We are extremely proud of our graduates and their professionalism,” commented Betty O’Neal, Carolina Auction Academy instructor. “These students worked very hard to acquire their auctioneering license, and as a teacher, it’s very gratifying to see your students develop into professional auctioneers,” added O’Neal.
The next class for Carolina Auction Academy begins August 25, 2008. For more information please call (704) 991-0157 or email caa@stanly.edu, or visit our website at www.stanly.edu.
Sonny Weeks (holding the microphone) a Carolina Auction Academy graduate, is “crying the bid” during the AANC’s rookie contest held in Charlotte. Sonny received “runner-up champion”.