Roll of Recognition

VISIONS Endowment Fund Announces
2011 Honorees

The VISIONS Endowment Fund honored three individuals as its 2011 Roll of Recognition Recipients.  They are John Sferro (retired teacher), Hank Owings (community member), and Eric Jerardi (Butler alumnus).  These men were honored at the VISIONS sixth annual benefit, "IMAGINE," held February 26 at the Crossroads Expo Center.

The public was invited to join the trustees in honoring these three individuals at the VISIONS benefit on Saturday, February 26, 2011.  The event was held at the Crossroads Expo Center on Poe Avenue. 

John Sferro taught English at Butler High School for 30+ years.  Although he worked with students at all levels, he is best known for his Advanced Placement classes.  On any summer day at the local swim club, his students could be found reading a classic in preparation for that first test upon returning to school in the fall.  John held high expectations and was well-respected by students and parents alike.

Since retiring, John and his wife  Alice have enjoyed traveling.  He is not only an avid UD basketball fan, but also enjoys rooting for his other hometown teams:  the Indians, Browns, and of course, the Cavaliers.  John and Alice have two sons:  Kevin and Derek.  Moving to South Carolina a while back puts them in closer proximity to their grandson, Zach.  When John is not enjoying his family or a game of golf, he might be found reading, another of his favorite pastimes. 

Hank Owings can best be described as a true advocate for the youth in the Vandalia-Butler community.  Hank worked for the Vandalia-Butler City Schools for 28 years as a bus driver.  The kids absolutely loved Hank!  More than half of those years he transported special needs students back and forth to their particular schools and programs.  During that time Hank also acted as a coach of middle school students (boys and girls) basketball and track.  He has also been involved in the youth baseball program for thirty-three (33) years.  For the past thirteen (13) years, Hank has been employed as the Youth Athletic Coordinator for the City of Vandalia.

Hank's professional football team, the Green Bay Packers, made it to the Super Bowl this year.  During baseball season he enjoys watching the New York Yankees and in the fall he follows Notre Dame in football.  Hank is fortunate to have his children and their families living in the area.

Eric Jerardi was chosen as the Outstanding Alumnus by the Roll or Recognition committee.  Eric is a 1987 graduate of Butler High School.  He is a Bobcat:  graduate of Ohio University where he majored in business.  While attending OU he formed a band, which won a "battle of the bands" contest sponsored by MTV.  Winning this contest afforded his band the opportunity to perform at a spring break concert in Florida where they were chosen "the top unsigned college band!"  Upon graduating from OU, he studied to receive his real estate license and returned to the Dayton area to live.  The band continued performing around the country.

Eric bought the "Little Store" about fifteen years ago and has become somewhat of a local self-taught "connoisseur" when it comes to wine.  He has traveled to California and France to learn about the wines of the countryside.  He has produced two educational videos about wines of both California and France.  The Little Store thrives as it serves delicious foods and provides a needed service to the local community.  The Vandalia-Butler community is proud to have Eric Jerardi as a life-long member of its community.

Check out our Photo Gallery of the 2011 Benefit

Roll of Recognition Nomination Form