BCTC BUZZ
The latest news from Berks Career & Technology Center
Horticulture Students Shine at Oley Fair, Bringing Home Top Honors
Horticulture students showcased their creativity and floral design skills at the Oley Fair, earning multiple awards across a variety of categories. Their impressive work highlighted both individual talent and the strength of their school programs.
Elizabeth Fortna of Wilson took home Best of Show for her stunning bridal bouquet and also earned 1st place for her whimsical arrangement featuring a stuffed animal.
Elena Lewis from Twin Valley won 1st place for her elegant table centerpiece and 2nd place for a festive Halloween arrangement.
Logan Jones of Schuylkill Valley earned 1st place for an arrangement in a basket and 2nd place for a fresh floral vase design.
Ava Reinert from Boyertown captured 1st place for her Halloween-themed arrangement, while Evan Gould, also from Boyertown, received 3rd place in the same category.
Harley Dietrich of Kutztown won 1st place for a fresh floral arrangement in a vase.
Michael Adler from Wilson earned 2nd place for his basket arrangement.
These awards reflect the dedication and artistry of the students, as well as the quality of instruction in their horticulture programs. Congratulations to all participants for their outstanding achievements!
Christopher Bard Presents on CTE’s Role in College Admissions at NACAC Conference
This month, Mr. Christopher Bard, BCTC's West Campus Counselor, took the national stage at the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) conference, presenting on a topic that’s gaining momentum: Navigating Career and Technical Education’s Role in College Admission.
Mr. Bard’s presentation shed light on the often-overlooked connection between Career and Technical Education (CTE) and college success. He emphasized how CTE programs not only build academic foundations but also equip students with practical skills and real-world experiences that colleges increasingly value. From hands-on learning to industry certifications, Bard showcased how CTE pathways prepare students for both higher education and career readiness.
His insights encouraged admissions professionals to recognize the depth and rigor of CTE programs and to consider them as strong indicators of student potential and preparedness.
Health Occupations Students Lead Life-Saving Blood Drive
Skye Impink, Sophia Rauenzahn, Daisy Deavers, and Kayla Smith, Health Occupations students from Tulpehocken, brought energy and dedication to their recent blood drive! Their leadership and enthusiasm helped collect 36 units of blood for the Miller-Keystone Blood Bank, making a real difference in the lives of patients in need. Thanks to these students, the community now has a stronger supply of this life-saving resource.
Phillips Universal Robots Team Brings UR10e CoBot to BCTC
The Phillips Universal Robots team provided training and calibration for the newest addition to the Precision/Computerized Machining Technology program—the UR10e CoBot, purchased with funding from the PA Supplemental Equipment Grant.
The state-of-the-art UR10e CoBot can handle machine tending, palletizing, packaging, and pick-and-place operations. Even better, our students will gain hands-on experience with automation and robotics, preparing them for careers in advanced manufacturing.
Heavy Equipment Operations Senior Honors Instructor Under Friday Night Lights
Keegan Arnold, a Heavy Equipment Operations (HEO) student at BCTC and senior at Brandywine Heights, plays football for Kutztown High School and recently nominated his HEO instructor, Mr. Eric Reifsnyder, to be recognized at Teacher Appreciation Night during a football game. Keegan praised Mr. Reifsnyder for the significant impact he’s had on his high school career, saying, “He really helped me with my career.” Mr. Reifsnyder shared his pride, noting, “I was so proud, it made me feel good.” This recognition highlights the meaningful connections between students and their instructors and the lasting influence of dedicated educators.
Communication students Celebrate Constitution Day with First Amendment Discussions
On September 17, students in the Video and Media Content Production and Advertising Art & Design Technology programs celebrated Constitution Day by diving into meaningful conversations about the First Amendment.
Through classroom discussions and media-focused activities, students explored the importance of freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition—core rights that shape both civic life and creative expression. The conversation highlighted how these freedoms directly impact their fields, from journalistic integrity in media production to the power of visual messaging in advertising.
By connecting constitutional principles to their future careers, students gained a deeper appreciation for the role of the First Amendment in both protecting and inspiring creative voices.
Student-Built House and Quarry Steal the Show at TC Meeting
BCTC recently welcomed Transitional Coordinators to the East Campus for its quarterly meeting. Attendees observed Heavy Equipment Operations (HEO) students in action at the quarry and spoke with HEO Instructor about the hands-on learning experiences. Coordinators also toured the Student-Built House, gaining insight into the practical skills students develop across BCTC programs. The visit highlighted the value of career and technical education in preparing students for future careers.
AADT Instructor Brings Her Storytelling Dreams to Broadway and Beyond
BCTC's Advertising Art & Design Technology instructor, Mrs. Beth Ireland, is proof that it’s never too late to follow your dreams. A long-time listener of The Moth Radio Hour—a weekly broadcast featuring true, live stories told without notes—Mrs. Ireland always admired the courage of the storytellers. “I thought it would be super cool to stand up on a stage and tell a story but never thought too much about it,” she said.
That changed when The Moth launched an online educator’s workshop, inviting teachers to learn how to craft and share stories in the signature Moth style. Over the course of a week, Mrs. Ireland wrote and refined her own story, learning how to connect with her audience while building community in the classroom. Out of 50 educators, only 10 were selected to present at the end of the program—and Mrs. Ireland was one of them. “It was super awesome! I did this thing I always thought about doing. How amazing is that?” she recalled.
Two years later, in September 2024, Mrs. Ireland’s storytelling journey reached a new height. She received an invitation from The Moth to perform her story on Broadway in New York City. Nervous but encouraged by her students, she accepted. For a month, she worked closely with a producer to expand and polish her story, digging deeper into the emotions and sensory details.
Despite her anxiety about navigating New York City, Mrs. Ireland pushed through her fears, making it across the city for rehearsals and eventually stepping onto a Broadway stage. With her family and best friends in the audience, including her daughter, who was celebrating her birthday that night—she delivered her story with confidence and joy. “I told myself I was going to enjoy every single second of this,” she said. Afterward, the theater erupted in a special birthday shout-out for her daughter, and producers surprised her with cookies and a song during intermission.
The story didn’t end there. In August 2025, Mrs. Ireland learned her performance would be featured on The Moth Radio Hour and podcast, broadcast nationwide. Her segment aired under the theme of “Acceptance,” where she shared the importance of accepting herself and modeling resilience for her daughter. “I didn’t think it could possibly get better, but it got better and better!” she reflected.
Mrs. Ireland encourages all educators to apply for the Moth Educator program, available at themoth.org/education/teachers. Her story can be heard at The Moth Radio Hour: Acceptance.
By sharing her journey, Mrs. Ireland reminds her students—and all of us—that the dreams we carry are worth pursuing, no matter how long they’ve been waiting.
Heavy Equipment Operations Students Shape the Land at Student Built House
Students in the Heavy Equipment Operations program recently put their skills to work at the Student Built House site, using a backhoe to move topsoil and create a swale—a shallow channel designed to manage stormwater runoff. This hands-on project gave students real-world experience in site preparation and land grading, while also contributing to the sustainability and functionality of the house’s landscape.
The swale will help direct rainwater away from the foundation, reducing erosion and promoting groundwater recharge. Projects like this are essential for developing both technical skills and environmental awareness.
Sparks to Spans
Tulpehocken senior Andrew Holland, a Welding student at BCTC, gained real-world experience this summer at JGM by fabricating massive counterweight towers for New York’s Livingston Avenue rail lift bridge replacement project, building on skills he first developed in the classroom and on the farm. Read more
Growing Dreams at Hershey Gardens
Jacob Wrigley, a 10th-grade Tulpehocken student in BCTC’s Horticulture program, spent his third summer volunteering at Hershey Gardens through the Volunteen program, gaining hands-on horticulture experience, completing his senior project early, and fueling his dream of one day working at Hershey Gardens and running his own landscape business. Read more
