A teacher and two firefighters honored by Poland Foundation

Staff report

POLAND

The Poland Schools Foundation for Educational Excellence will honor three graduates of Poland Seminary High School at its annual banquet at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Sue Van Meter, chairwoman of the English department at Poland Seminary High School, will be recognized as outstanding educator, and Anthony Sferra and James Stewart, both assistant chiefs of the Western Reserve Joint Fire District, will be recognized as outstanding alumni, Ted Roberts, foundation president, announced.

Van Meter graduated in 1962, Sferra in 1964 and Stewart in 1971.

While in high school, Van Meter, the former Suzanne Honey, was a top student and, among her extracurricular activities, a majorette in the marching band. She earned her baccalaureate in 1966 and master’s in education at Bowling Green State University.

Van Meter has taught French and advised the cheerleading squad.

Both Sferra and Stewart have served in the fire department for 37 years.

Sferra retired as a detective sergeant on the Poland Township Police Department and is a bailiff in Struthers Municipal Court.

Stewart is a production manager at Duncan Bath and Kitchen Center and a certified aging-in-place specialist.

“The foundation will honor these outstanding alumni, because they have dedicated their careers to educating and keeping safe the students of Poland Schools,” Roberts said.

Tickets to the banquet, to be at the Lake Club, are $50 and can be obtained from the foundation secretary, Holly Fender, at 330-757-0783 or Roberts at 330-744-5211.

The Poland Schools Foundation for Education is an academic booster club that supports the teachers and students in the Poland Local School District. Since its founding in 1991, it has given or directed nearly $300,000 in scholarships to graduates of Seminary High School and grants to the school system and its teachers.