Laci Naftzinger has been in a dark place for a long time.
In early 2019, my father’s garage and workshop burned down. The flames turned to ashes what Naftzinger called his mechanic father’s lifework.
Naftzinger’s father, Terry, was demoralized by the fire. He took his own life in May 2020.
Naftzinger was heartbroken.
She said her father’s suicide had left her struggling with mental health issues.
“I gave up on everything,” she said.
About a year later, however, Naftzinger began trying to find his way out of the darkness. Before her death, her father suggested that Naftzinger might enjoy learning to weld, and said that he would teach her everything she knew about the field.
Naftzinger decided to join the welding program at the Berks Career and Technology Center. It was a life-changing choice.
“The first day I walked into this school, I knew this was what I wanted to do,” she said. “This school has taught me things I thought were impossible.”
Naftzinger, who graduated from Tulpehocken High School last year, is in the final year of the welding program at BCTC. She is excited to graduate and pursue a career in her industry.
“I have a reason to get out of bed now,” she said. “For the first time, I wake up with a smile every day.”
Naftzinger said BCTC provided the structure, education and support she needed to find her purpose in life. And school officials are continuing their efforts to do so for the rest of the students.
Now they have new tools to use on their quests.
Naftzinger spoke at a special presentation Friday morning at the BCTC West Campus in Bern Township, where the school announced the creation of the Berks Career and Technology Center Education Foundation. The foundation raises funds and resources to support her BCTC students like Naftzinger.
BCTC Executive Director Dr. Michael Stauffer said:
The idea of setting up an educational foundation, which most school districts in the county are doing, began several years ago. The plan was delayed a bit by his COVID-19 pandemic, but it came to fruition.
Through donations and fundraising activities, the Foundation helps financially challenged students, provides scholarships, hosts student leadership conferences and seminars, and helps students purchase the equipment and tools they need to start their careers. Help, subsidize educators and otherwise support everything happening in the world. School campus in the towns of Bern and Orry.
Jason Feiertag, BCTC’s treasurer and one of the founding leaders of the foundation, said BCTC, like most schools, had to operate within the tight constraints of a tight budget. The school’s annual budget of $20 million is primarily funded by he 16 local districts served by BCTC.
“It puts a lot of extra stress on school districts,” he said.
The nature of career and technical education makes it particularly expensive, Feiertag said. There are all sorts of expensive tools and materials needed to properly educate students.
And that cost is sometimes passed on to students, he added. For example, a student in a cosmetology program will need to purchase a kit for $600 to $700 for him, Feiertag said.
Funds raised through the Foundation help cover some of these costs, especially for students in financial need. can. Over the past year, students have participated in events in Atlanta, San Diego, and Nashville to support a variety of special projects.
“They’re all expensive,” says Feiertag. “We want to be able to support our students in a better way, in a different way.”
To do so, the Foundation needs support from the community. And it has already received some.
Feiertag said the foundation has already received about $40,000 in donations. As part of that, he created the W. Clarke Hammond Culinary Institute of America Awards.
The award is a scholarship program funded by the family of former BCTC culinary instructor W. Clark Hammond, who passed away in November 2021.
The foundation also receives donations from local businesses through the state’s income tax credit program.
Feiertag said the foundation is still trying to gain a foothold, but will likely pursue several fundraising events in the future.He suggested ideas such as a food truck festival and a gold tournament. Did.
But before anything like that happens, the Foundation needs to find leadership.
Its Board of Directors currently consists of the Board of Directors of BCTC. But you have to create a separate board.
Feiertag said the foundation is looking for potential members to serve on its seven-member board. They hoped to have it up and running by March.
If you are interested in joining the Board, please contact Feiertag at 610-374-4071, ext. 2200 or JPFeiertag@berkscareer.com.
