Despite having received a certain amount of local notoriety at a young age, Natalia Biehl prefers not to be a center of attention.
Natalia is a 2023 graduate of Belle Fourche High School. As a high school student, her interest in auto mechanics led to an internship program at Hersruds arranged through the Belle Fourche High School.
Mary Day, CTE Business Instructor envisioned the program over twenty years ago and has been offering it as a one semester class option ever since. The program is designed to provide students hands-on, real-world experience. It presents the opportunity to learn first-hand about careers and to make connections with potential employers. Students earn high school credit for participation in the internship program.
Ms. Day was enthusiastic about Natalia’s potential, “I am so happy that her internship experience has accomplished what the youth internship program is designed to accomplish.”
As an intern at Hersruds, Natalia had the opportunity to work under the supervision of Sam Silacci an automotive technician by trade. “Hersruds has treated me well.” Natalia said. “I like to watch different working styles and Sam actually let me do stuff.”
Natalia also credits her dad, Steve for encouraging her interest in auto mechanics. “I grew up watching my dad work on cars.”
Thus began her decision to pursue a degree in automotive mechanics. She has had some help. Natalia is a recipient of a Build Dakota Scholarship, and a scholarship from The Center of the Nation All Car Rally, a generous gift from the All-Car Rally Fundraiser.
The organization has raised money for various charities for 32 consecutive years. When, the fundraising activities fell victim to COVID in 2019, there was still money in the bank. Sam Silacci, president of the All-Car Rally and Doug Kraft, treasurer explained, “We decided to turn the leftover money into a scholarship.”
Natalie was in pleasant state of shock when she saw the check. She knew about the AllCar Rally scholarship award, “But I didn’t know it would be that much!” She said when she learned that the scholarship was for the significant sum of $6,000.
Natalie made use of the scholarship opportunities and graduated from Western Dakota Tech with an Associates of Applied Science degree in Auto Mechanics in May 2025. And now, she is happy to be back working at Hersruds.
She described the two years of instruction she received. The first year was about axels, brakes, drive line repair, and transmissions. Natalia discovered that she liked taking transmissions apart, and putting them back together.
During her second year, she learned that she also liked engine repair. “Big tear downs are my favorite.” She explained that reassembling an engine and making all the parts work together is very satisfying.
Natalia likes doing diagnostic work too. The job of an auto mechanic is empowering but hard too. Sometimes she needs a ladder to be able to see the details in an engine. “There’s so much technology and so much to learn. But you get the hang of the technology” She commented.
Natalia is a minority in the field of auto mechanics. There were a few women in her degree program.
At present she is the only female mechanic on staff at Hersruds, and is grateful for the continuous encouragement she has received. Natalia complimented her coworkers for their patience as she continues to learn. Sometimes she is afraid that they won’t want a girl in the shop, but her experience has proven otherwise.
She is happy to be in Belle Fourche where her family has been a strong support system for her. She explained that she loves the challenge of working on cars. She likes the idea of making cars last a long time through careful maintenance. She even appreciates getting her hands a little dirty.
Read the full issue of the Belle Fourche Beacon by clicking here.
