BCTC BUZZ

Fifty students from BCTC earned medals at the SkillsUSA District 4 competition held December 17–18, 2025, showcasing their talent, dedication, and technical expertise across a wide range of career and technical education fields.

The two-day competition brought together students from across the region to demonstrate their skills through hands-on challenges aligned with industry standards. From construction and manufacturing to automotive, health, and technical services, BCTC students rose to the challenge and delivered outstanding performances.

Of the 50 medalists, 24 students earned first-place honors, securing their qualification to advance to the SkillsUSA Pennsylvania State Competition scheduled for April 2026. In addition, 17 students achieved second-place finishes, while 9 students earned third place, reflecting the depth of skill and preparation across BCTC programs.

SkillsUSA competitions are designed to prepare students for the workforce by emphasizing technical proficiency, professionalism, teamwork, and leadership. The strong showing by BCTC students underscores the center’s commitment to hands-on learning, industry partnerships, and career readiness.

This impressive performance at the district level highlights the hard work of students, instructors, and support staff, and sets the stage for continued success as BCTC competitors prepare to represent their school and region at the state level in April.

For a complete list of winners, visit SkillsUSA District 4 winners.

Health Occupations students recently turned classroom learning into real-world impact by hosting a blood drive as part of their senior project. Through careful planning, teamwork, and community outreach, the students helped collect 43 pints of blood to benefit the Miller-Keystone Blood Center, supporting patients across the region.

The senior project team included Madison Haring of Brandywine Heights, Jocelyn Ench of Wilson, Lillianna Fitz of Wilson, and Emma Domrzalski of Boyertown. From coordinating with Miller-Keystone Blood Center to promoting the event and assisting donors on the day of the drive, the students managed every aspect of the initiative.

The blood drive provided students with hands-on experience in healthcare leadership, communication, and patient care—key skills emphasized in BCTC’s Health Occupations program. It also highlighted the powerful role students can play in meeting critical community needs.

Each pint of blood donated has the potential to help save up to three lives, making the 43 pints collected a meaningful contribution to local hospitals and patients. The successful event reflects both the students’ dedication to their field and BCTC’s commitment to preparing future healthcare professionals through service-based learning.

Three students from BCTC's Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technology programs showcased their technical expertise at the Penn College of Technology Diesel Competition held December 12–13, 2025. After excelling in a rigorous online qualifying exam, the students advanced to the on-campus event, where they demonstrated their skills across 10 industry-sponsored stations alongside top competitors from across the region.

Elliot Waidell, a Diesel Technology student from Boyertown, emerged as the overall contest winner, earning a $10,000 scholarship to Penn College of Technology. Elliot’s standout performance included a 1st-place finish in engine liner height, along with 2nd-place finishes in sealants and wiring schematic interpretation.

Caleb Mountz, a Diesel Technology student from Governor Mifflin, earned 3rd place in multimeter usage, demonstrating strong diagnostic and electrical testing skills. Maxwell Gumanski, an Oley High School student in the Heavy Equipment Technology program, earned 3rd place in liftgate troubleshooting, highlighting his ability to diagnose and resolve complex mechanical issues.

The combined scores of Elliot and Caleb secured BCTC’s Diesel Technology program the Top School Award, along with $5,000 in tools and training aids to further enhance hands-on learning opportunities for students.

The students’ success reflects BCTC’s commitment to high-quality career and technical education and its strong alignment with industry standards and workforce needs. Read more about the contest here.

BCTC and the BCTC Education Foundation are proud to announce a generous $7,500 donation from Tompkins Community Bank in support of career and technical education in Berks County.

This contribution will help expand hands-on learning opportunities, strengthen critical classroom and lab resources, and support student preparation for high-demand, in-demand careers across a wide range of BCTC programs. Through investments like this, students gain access to the tools, technology, and real-world experiences that are essential for success in today’s workforce.

Tompkins Community Bank’s support reflects a strong commitment to workforce development and to empowering students with the skills and confidence needed to transition from education to employment. Partnerships with local businesses and community organizations play a vital role in ensuring that career and technical education continue to meet the evolving needs of industry.

BCTC hosted a District Visitation Day on December 9, 2025, welcoming educators from 16 school districts to its West Campus for an immersive look at the opportunities available through Career and Technical Education.

During the visit, teachers toured BCTC’s state-of-the-art facilities and explored the wide array of programs designed to prepare students for success in high-demand, skilled careers. Participants engaged directly with instructors, observed hands-on learning in action, and gained a deeper understanding of how technical education complements traditional academics while meeting workforce needs.

The event also provided a valuable opportunity for collaboration, strengthening connections between BCTC and its partner districts. By sharing insights and best practices, educators reinforced a shared commitment to career readiness and experiential learning that equips students with the skills, confidence, and industry awareness needed for future success.

District Visitation Day highlighted the critical role Career and Technical Education plays in preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s careers and underscored BCTC’s ongoing partnership with sending schools across Berks County.

BCTC’s West Campus HOSA Future Health Professionals chapters recently demonstrated the true spirit of the season through their Pilgrim fundraiser, raising $1,703.20 in support of Helping Harvest. As the holiday season approaches—a time when food insecurity can feel even more urgent—this contribution will help ensure that tens of thousands of individuals and families across Berks County have access to nourishing meals when they need them most.

The fundraiser reflects HOSA students’ commitment to service, leadership, and community health beyond the classroom. Their efforts serve as a powerful reminder that service and compassion are always in season, and that even small actions can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Health Occupations students and Wyomissing seniors Zophia Beer Arizpe and Kylie Troutman are making a meaningful difference in their community through a heartfelt initiative Birthday Kit Project. Understanding that even simple celebrations can become financial burdens, the pair set out to create birthday cake celebration kits for individuals and families facing economic hardship.

For many households, basics like cake mix, frosting, candles, and decorations can be difficult to afford. Without these small but significant items, a birthday may pass without the joy and recognition every person deserves. “A birthday should make you feel seen,” the students shared. “We wanted to help make that possible for anyone, regardless of their situation.”

Their Birthday Kit Project provides low-cost, ready-to-assemble kits that include essential celebration supplies as well as an easy, budget-friendly cake-making method that substitutes a can of soda for eggs and oil. This creative approach ensures that families with limited resources can still enjoy a delicious cake without the added expense of additional ingredients.

National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) students from both BCTC campuses proudly hosted Angel Trees in partnership with the Salvation Army, creating meaningful opportunities for students and staff to support local children and seniors during the holiday season. Through the Angel Trees, participants purchased gifts of new clothing and toys, helping ensure community members in need feel remembered and supported.

In addition to hosting the Angel Trees, seventeen NTHS students took their service a step further by volunteering at the Salvation Army warehouse. There, they rolled up their sleeves to sort, organize, and move donated items that will soon be distributed to families across the community.

For the past 15 years, Diesel Technology students have proudly hosted a Toys for Tots collection site in partnership with the Marine Corps Reserve, continuing a tradition rooted in service and community pride. Each year, students and staff come together to donate new, unwrapped toys, filling one to two collection boxes annually to support children in need during the holiday season.

What began as a small class-led effort has grown into a longstanding commitment, reinforcing the values of generosity and civic responsibility alongside hands-on technical training. Through this annual partnership with the Marine Corps Reserve, Diesel Technology students learn that giving back is just as important as building skills for the workforce.

Health Occupations students spent the day at Berks Heim supporting Santa’s Corner, an event where residents can shop for loved ones at no cost. Students assisted residents in finding the perfect gifts, wrapped presents, and shared meaningful moments, creating a warm and festive atmosphere. The experience offered hands-on, heart-forward learning—demonstrating that compassion, connection, and community care are just as essential as clinical skills in the health professions.

NTHS students from both campuses recently came together for a meaningful service project—collecting new and gently used shoes to support families in developing nations. Through the drive, students and staff donated footwear for children and adults, helping meet a basic need while promoting dignity, health, and opportunity.

The effort reflects the organization’s commitment to leadership, service, and global citizenship. By turning compassion into action, BCTC students demonstrated that small acts—like donating a pair of shoes—can make a lasting impact well beyond our local community.

Asher (Erynne) Witman, a Health Occupations student and senior from Wilson, recently organized a collection of post-partum packs for Mary’s Shelter as part of her senior project. Recognizing the challenges that new mothers face, Asher said, “I chose this project because mothers and the entire family need support after a new baby arrives.” Her efforts provided essential items to help families navigate the first weeks after childbirth, offering comfort, care, and a helping hand to those in need. This project highlights how compassion and hands-on action can make a meaningful difference in the community.

Carpentry students are putting their craftsmanship on full display as they install interior trim throughout the student-built house. This phase of construction highlights the importance of precision, alignment, and attention to detail—skills that transform a structure into a polished, finished home.

Working room by room, students carefully measured, cut, and installed baseboards, door and window casing, and other trim elements. Every piece required exact measurements and tight joints to ensure clean lines and smooth transitions that define each space. Even minor inaccuracies can stand out in finish work, making this step a true test of both skill and patience.

Instructors emphasized proper techniques for measuring, mitering, fastening, and finishing, while also reinforcing industry standards for quality and consistency. Students learned how precise alignment and uniform spacing contribute not only to the appearance of a room, but also to the overall professionalism of the project.

December 24, 2025 - January 2, 2026

January 19, 2026

February 16, 2026

East Campus - March 3, 2026, 5pm-8pm (inclement weather make-up date March 24, 2026)

West Campus - March 4, 2026, 5pm-8pm (inclement weather make-up date March 26, 2026)