Alonza Lewis

He graduated from Eastern High school. While in high school, he played football and sang in the choir. After graduation, AC attended Area Technical Trade School (now known as Denmark Technical College). There he received a degree in Brick Masonry. He also received a degree in Education from the University of Tennessee (Knoxville). AC furthered his education at Winthrop, Clemson, University of South Carolina and South Carolina State University.

AC loves brick masonry and teaching. He realized the need for the brick mason trade to be taught in high schools. So he answered the call and taught brick masonry for 38 years. He taught at Spring Valley and Lexington High schools and Midlands Technical College. His students refer to him as Mr. Lewis and they still appreciate all that he has given them. He has had several students compete in various competitions and win on the State and National levels. AC has assisted several students to open, run and operate their own brick masonry companies. Currently, many of his former students will gladly assist him with various brick laying jobs. He was not just a teacher but a mentor to his students. AC served as President of VICA (now SkillsUSA) for many years. He also served as President of the South Carolina Masonry Instructors Association for many years, but being the visionary that he is, he saw the need to broaden the horizon of the masonry trade on a national level. So, in 1988, he was instrumental in the organization of the National Masonry Instructors Association. AC’s passions for his students and this trade won him the prestigious honor of being inducted into the National Masonry Instructors Association Hall of Fame in 2008.

AC loves sports especially football. He is a basketball and football official. He has been officiating for 43years. AC has officiated two State Football Championship games and the 2009 North-South All-Star Football game. He has also officiated four State Basketball Championship games and the 2007 Carolinas All-Star Basketball Classic. AC has served as the District Five Basketball Director and in 2004 was inducted into the South Carolina Basketball Officials Hall of Fame. He currently serves as a Sideline Crew member for the University of South Carolina home football games.

AC Lewis is a member of Emmanuel AME Church. He has been a member for 27 years. He has served on various committees and was a previous Local Lay President and previous Third Vice-President of the Columbia Conference Lay Organization. AC was also Chairman of the Building Committee for the construction of the current church. He is currently the Steward Pro tem, a member of the Men’s choir, Sons of Allen, Lay Organization, and President of the Columbia District Lay Organization.

AC loves the Lord and loves to worship Him. His favorite hymn is “O Thou, in Whose Presence”. His favorite scripture is St. John 17:1 and it reads “Jesus spoke these things, and then he lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, O my Father, the hour has come; glorify thy Son, so that thy Son may glorify thee.”

AC is married to the former Dorothy McCants. They have been married for 46 years. They have two children: Doretta (Eric) Gibbs and Cornelius Lewis. They also have three grandchildren: Byron Lewis, Eryka Gibbs and Jomaryi Gibbs.

Plaque Engraving

A pioneer in his own time! Realizing the need for brick masonry to be taught in school he initiated and started teaching the program at Spring Valley High School in Columbia, SC in 1972. For over 38 years he taught brick masonry at Lexington High School and Midlands Technical College. His students have competed in and won competitions on both state and national levels. He assisted several former students in opening and operating successful masonry companies. He served as President of the SC Masonry Instructors Association for several years. Instrumental in organizing the National Masonry Instructors Association and served as President for three years. He was inducted into the National Masonry Instructors Association in 2008. He was awarded Honorary Life Membership for 20 years of Service Award in the Opening and Closing Ceremony of Skills USA 2018. A teacher, mentor and trailblazing pioneer in the masonry field on the local, state and national levels.