Ryan Kraft’s interest in the automotive field started with a movie and grew into a career path.
A third-year Automotive Technology student from Daniel Boone Area School District, Ryan remembers watching The Love Bug as a child and becoming fascinated with Volkswagens. Over time, that interest expanded into a deeper appreciation for classic cars, muscle cars, modern vehicles, and the skills needed to work on them.
That passion has helped drive Ryan throughout his time at Berks Career & Technology Center, where his commitment, work ethic, and interest in the trade have earned him the Skyline Drive Corvette Club of Reading Scholarship. The $3,000 scholarship will support Ryan as he continues his education at the Automotive Training Center, where he plans to study Automotive and High-Performance Technology.
Ryan was nominated for the scholarship by Automotive Technology instructor Dustin Mauger, who selected him based on the effort and dedication he has shown in the program.
As part of the scholarship experience, Ryan was also asked to create a trophy that will be presented at a Skyline Drive Corvette Club car show in July. Rather than choosing a ready-made trophy, Ryan built his own using parts from two engines. With guidance from Mr. Mauger, he designed and welded the piece together, turning automotive components into a one-of-a-kind award.
The project also gave Ryan the chance to include a personal detail. As a musician, he added a small guitar to the trophy, blending his interest in music with his passion for cars.
“I just kind of put on whatever came to my mind,” Ryan said. “I put a little guitar in there. I’m in a band, so the guitar was inspiration.”
Ryan first learned about BCTC through his guidance counselor, who encouraged him to explore opportunities connected to hands-on learning. After attending open houses and seeing what the Automotive Technology program had to offer, Ryan knew it was the right direction for him.
Following his time at ATC, Ryan hopes to work in a strong automotive shop close to home, where he can continue building his skills and begin his career in the field.
For students considering BCTC, Ryan’s advice is simple: take the opportunity seriously and be ready to learn.
“You have to want to be here,” Ryan said. “There are a lot of good people here who actually want to learn, and that’s the good of it.”
From earning scholarship recognition to creating a custom trophy by hand, Ryan is using his time at BCTC to turn a long-standing interest into a future in the automotive industry.