Butler Heritage Foundation Celebrates 35 Years
Mrs. Mary Louise Ervin Moore, 97 year old Butler Graduate, was honored during the 35th Annual Butler Roll Call Banquet. PHOTO BY STEPHAN DREW
The Butler Gymnasium was packed to capacity for the 35th Annual Roll Call Banquet on Thursday evening, July 2. PHOTO BY STEPHAN DREW
By Stephan Drew, Editor
editor@newsandpress.net
The Butler Heritage Foundation celebrated its annual Butler Heritage Week recently, including the 35th Annual Roll Call of Classes Banquet, held Thursday evening, July 2, 2026, in the Butler Gymnasium at 1103 S. Sixth Street. The celebration highlighted a week of remembrance and renewal that ran from June 26 through July 4, and this year’s gathering the theme as fitting as it was inspiring: “Legacy in Motion: Honoring the Past, Building the Future.”
Alumni, community leaders, and friends of Butler High School filled the gymnasium for an evening that blended heartfelt tradition with forward-looking purpose, honoring decades of achievement while reaffirming the Foundation’s commitment to future generations.
The program opened at 5 p.m. with a reception featuring networking and a warm welcome from Mr. Carl Days, a proud member of the Class of 1972. Assistant Treasurer Jacqueline Kirvin then took the podium to outline the mission of the Butler Foundation and the significance of Butler Heritage Week, grounding the evening in the values that have sustained the organization for 35 years.
Board member Mr. Lawrence Manning offered the Invocation and Blessing of the Food, setting a tone of gratitude before Board Vice Chairman Mr. Jerry Cheatham delivered the Welcoming Remarks, formally opening the night’s festivities to the assembled crowd.
Among the evening’s most stirring moments was a special presentation by Dr. Alvin Heatley, a distinguished member of the Class of 1946. Dr. Heatley honored a remarkable piece of Butler High School history: five consecutive years — from 1977 through 1981 — in which the Butler High School Girls Basketball team claimed the 4AA Conference Championship. The original championship banner was proudly displayed alongside a newly created, vinyl-coated replica, ensuring that this extraordinary athletic legacy will be preserved and celebrated for generations to come.
Guests enjoyed a delicious buffet dinner, savoring both the meal and the fellowship before the program continued into its most anticipated segment of the night.
Board members Mr. Kenzie Delaine, himself a Class of 1968 graduate, and Mr. Daniel Moore presided over the Hall of Honors Announcements, presenting plaques to six exceptional individuals whose contributions have left an indelible mark on the Butler community:
• Mrs. Doris P. Addison — recipient of the Lynwood Lewis Award
• Dr. Gerald A. Wilson — recipient of a Tiger Award
• Mrs. Mary Louise Ervin Moore — recipient of the Dr. Alvin Heatley Award
• Dr. Jannie Harriot — recipient of a Tiger Award
• Mrs. Maureen V. Wilson Thomas — recipient of a Tiger Award
• Mr. Emory L. Waters — recipient of a Tiger Award
A particularly touching highlight of the evening came with the recognition of Mrs. Mary Louise Ervin Moore, who, at 97 years young, stood as the oldest Butler High School graduate in attendance — a living testament to the enduring bonds forged within these halls of learning, and a powerful embodiment of the evening’s theme.
True to the banquet’s namesake tradition, each graduating class was called to report its contributions to the Butler Heritage Foundation — donations that fuel the organization’s continued good works throughout the community. Board Treasurer Mr. Christopher Shirley presided over this cherished portion of the program, a moment that year after year showcases the extraordinary generosity and class pride that define Butler alumni.
As the evening drew to a close, Board Chair Mrs. Sheila Squire offered closing remarks, reflecting on a night that beautifully embodied the spirit of “Legacy in Motion.” From honoring championship athletes of decades past to celebrating a 97-year-old graduate’s living history, and from recognizing present-day excellence to counting the community’s ongoing generosity, the 35th Annual Roll Call of Classes Banquet stood as a powerful reminder that Butler’s legacy is not simply a memory — it is an active, thriving force, carried forward by every class, every honoree, and every hand that continues to build its future.