Angels Camp, CA…Calaveras Community Foundation (CCF) has presented an Advanced Manufacturing Scholarship to BHHS student, Nickolas Ratkovich. Nickolas received a $2,000 scholarship to begin his college studies in the Mechatronics/Electrical Technology field. Nicholas resides in San Andreas with proud parents Melissa & Peter Ratkovich.

At a very early age, Nicholas, developed a love of robotics. In elementary school, he was part of a Remote Operating Vehicle (ROV) team and competed at the state level. This interest continued on into high school. He joined 4-H while in the 3rd grade and raised a meat goat that first year. In 2009, he and his younger brother formed a partnership, Ratkovich Livestock, breeding and showing Boer goats. Their business now includes breeding sheep and some heifers. Over the past 9 years, Nick, has shown both sheep and cattle for the California State Fair and the Calaveras County Fair. Traveling to multiple national shows in Oklahoma, Louisiana, Kentucky, Missouri and Arizona has earned Nicholas numerous awards and trophies.

Joining the FFA program as a freshman, Nick has earned multiple awards and degrees during his four-year involvement in FFA. These experiences have resulted in a confident, driven, well-rounded young man whose ultimate career goal is to become a robotics engineer. This fall, Nicholas will attend Sierra College, Rocklin, in the Mechatronics field (any system that involves electronics, mechanics and computer control).

The Advanced Manufacturing Scholarship was made possible by a recent grant from the Gene Haas Foundation. According to Foundation Administrator, Kathy Looman, Haas Automation, founded in 1983, is the leading builder of CNC machine tools. Haas understands that the U.S. is experiencing skills gaps in manufacturing jobs and seeks to close those gaps by offering grants to graduating seniors.

CCF is grateful to the Haas Foundation for their generous grant.

For more information about CCF, visit the website at
www.calaverascommunityfoundation.org

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