Class of 2011
December 23, 2011
From left to right: Jim, Candy, Jack Schisler, Cliff German, Kris and Julie Burt, Megan Meyer Stoudt, Kristin Dryfuse
Biographies submitted by inductees' families.
WILLIAM "WILLIE B" BURT
Bill Burt was at the helm of Vermilion Sailor Band for twenty-seven years from 1954 to 1981. Growing up as a boy in Delta, Ohio, Bill demonstrated musical prowess at an early age. Seems he could "make music on anything and everything he touched", the words of his proud mother.
When his high school band director was spread thin by teaching at numerous schools, young Bill was asked to direct the marching and pep bands as well as the choir.
At the end of his senior year, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy to join the fight in WWII. With his fine musical ear he easily passed the sonar man exam and tracked Japanese submarines around the Pacific Ocean. The war didn't interrupt his music making though as he and other musicians on board often jammed and entertained the other sailors on deck.
After teaching briefly in Van Buren and working in a music store in Findlay, Bill and his young family moved to Vermilion to accept the school band and choir director position. With his infectious enthusiasm and innovative ideas, the bands and choruses became the place to be. Alumni still speak of the pride they felt every time they performed; all they wanted was to please Willie B. Using cutting edge drill design and insisting on a great sound, Bill made his bands exciting to watch and a real blast to be in.
Following retirement, Bill stayed active with his former band members and created the "Alumni Band" with other volunteers. The group was active for many years, participating in numerous parades and the annual VHS band festival. Willie B was always happy to be the "Music Man" in Vermilion
KRISTIN DRYFUSE
After graduating from Vermilion High School in 1988, Kristin Dryfuse accepted admittance to the United States Naval Academy. She graduated in 1992 with a degree in Chemistry and was selected for Naval Aviation training in Pensacola, Florida. With the repeal of the Combat Exclusion law which prohibited women in military combat roles, Kristin was winged as an F14 Tomcat Radar Intercept Officer (R10) in 1994. She deployed in this capacity with three different operational commands in support of Operations NORTHERN WATCH, SOUTHERN WATCH, IRAQI FREEDOM, and ENDURING FREEDOM. She was also selected to be an F14 flight instructor for three years.
Kristin has fulfilled a variety of military assignments which include deployment to the Middle East in addition to flying off nearly every aircraft carrier in the U.S. Navy inventory. Accruing nearly 3,000 flight hours and 700 aircraft carrier based landings, Kristin is a military pioneer, as she is one of the first woman to be selected for jet aviation and is the first woman F14 R10 in history.
In addition to her aviation service and leadership, Kristin's contributions to the U.S. Navy are rounded out with participation on the All Navy Triathlon Team a total of six times, three of which were as the U.S. Navy representative to the Ironman World Championship race in Hawaii. Kristin is recognized as a public servant, an accomplished athlete and published author of both magazine articles and books. She has fully embodied the Vermilion School system's mission statement to "Build Leaders and Lifelong Learners".
CLIFF GERMAN
Family, School and Community Service, define Lorain Sports Hall of Fame Inductee (Class of 2002) Cliff German. For many years Cliff has unselfishly given his time and energy toward making the Vermilion Community the best it can be. More importantly, Cliff has gone above and beyond the call of duty supporting the young people of our community and has been and "Ambassador" for Vermilion in supporting young people from other communities as well.
Cliff is a member of nearly every service organization in Vermilion, and is an active and enthusiastic member of each group. In addition to heading up many events sponsored by these groups, Cliff has served on Advisory Boards for the Vermilion Schools and City of Vermilion. In addition to volunteer work, Cliff is the owner of German's Villa Party Center here in Vermilion and is well know as the "Voice of Vermilion". He has announced for school and community sporting and other special events in Vermilion for over 25 years and has enjoyed every minute of it. The excitement and enthusiasm in his voice is evident each and every time he announces. Cliff believes very strongly that all children need to feel a sense of worth, and to be excited about being involved. If Cliff can help do that in some small way - whatever time, energies and efforts it takes to do that - it is well worth it.
Cliff's involvement in community activities has been recognized in many ways. He is the only two time State recipient of the Archie Griffin Community Service and Sportsmanship Award in the State of Ohio; he has been honored by the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce with numerous civic awards and this past year received the "Anchor Award", Vermilion's most prestigious Community Service award. Cliff has also been recognized by the State of Ohio with the Bright Star Award for Community Service in 2011.
DANIEL A. SCHISLER
Daniel A. Schisler graduated from Vermilion High School in 1938. He was a member of both the varsity basketball and football teams while at VHS. He attended Miami University on a football scholarship, and was a three-year letter winner. While there he met his future wife, Virginia. In 1943, Dan joined the Army Air Corps, finishing #1 in flight training class and went to Texas as a pilot and flight instructor for the B-29 "Superfortress" bomber.
Following his service in the military he began a 28-year career with Wakefield Corporation/ITT, beginning as a sales representative in Dallas and ending as a division president. He and Ginny returned to Vermilion to be close to his parents and sister. Although he spent many years traveling the world for business and pleasure, Vermilion was always his "hometown". He and Ginny delighted in entertaining many visitors and friends throughout their years here.
From 1977 to 1983 Dan worked for Bettcher Industries as VP of Sales and Marketing. He served on the Board of Directors of many companies, including Bettcher Industries, Erie County Bank, Sta-Warm Electric Co., Grill Meats and was past president of Plum Brook Country Club, where he and Ginny enjoyed playing golf. As a member of the United Church of Christ Congregational, Dan was a deacon and Sunday school teacher. In the 1960s he led a successful major school bond campaign and was president of Athletic Booster Club.
Dan died in 1993 at the age of 73. He and Ginny were married 43 years, raised four children, all graduates of Vermilion High School, and was a proud member of our community.
MEGAN MEYER STOUDT
Megan (Meyer) Stoudt attended Vermilion High School from 1997-2001. She was a 4 year varsity tennis and softball player for the Sailors. During her 4 years at VHS, she set school records for wins, strikeouts, innings pitched, and ERA. She was twice named All-State for softball and named Lorain County Ms. Softball. She graduated from VHS as the class valedictorian in 2001. After high school, she attended Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ on a softball scholarship.
While at Seton Hall, Megan was a 4-year starting pitcher for the Pirates. In 2004 and 2005, the Pirates won back to back Big East Championships and earned two berths to the NCAA regional. During those two seasons, Megan was named the Seton Hall University Female Athlete of the Year, Big East Championship Most Outstanding Player, and earned national recognition as a third team All-American and Academic All-American. She set career and single season records for innings pitched, wins, strikeouts, and ERA.
Megan graduated summa cum laude from Seton Hall University in 2005 with a degree in Biochemistry and was inducted into the Seton Hall University Hall of Fame in 2010. Following graduation, she enrolled at the University of Florida and in 2010 graduated with a Ph.D. in chemistry. She currently lives in Melbourne, Florida with her husband, Dustin, where she teaches chemistry and is the softball coach at Bayside High School in Palm Bay, Florida.
