Addison Trail to honor alumna with Tradition of Excellence award

Pictured is Addison Trail alumna Kathleen Willis (class of 1980), who will be honored with the school's Tradition of Excellence award on Nov. 5.

On Nov. 5, Addison Trail will recognize alumna Kathleen Willis (class of 1980) with the Tradition of Excellence award.

The Tradition of Excellence award is the highest honor presented by Addison Trail to its graduates. Initiated in 1999, this annual alumni recognition program has honored recipients in professional fields such as medicine, engineering, science, education, art, music and law.

Willis will be inducted into the Tradition of Excellence during a presentation that will begin at 3:15 p.m. at Addison Trail. A reception will take place after the ceremony. To reserve a seat, RSVP by Oct. 28 to Melissa Morales at mmorales@dupage88.net or 630-458-4150.

Willis is serving her fourth term in the Illinois General Assembly as State Representative of the 77th District and also serves as House Majority Conference Chair. Prior to her election as a state representative, Willis worked as coordinator of access services at the Elmhurst College Library and as a part-time teacher of children’s and adolescent literature.

Willis has always been an active member of her community. A mother of four children (all of whom also graduated from Addison Trail), Willis served three terms as a member of the Addison School District 4 Board of Education, volunteering her time without pay to help give local children a better education. As a member of the American Association of University Women, she helped found and organize the “Dare to Dream” program, mentoring young Latina girls and their mothers to make good choices to promote education and combat truancy. She also has been Vice President of the Kiwanis Club of Addison, Chair of the Addison Special Events Commission and has helped coordinate the Addison Mayor’s Community Charity Ball.

Willis earned her bachelor’s degree in Human Services Administration from Elmhurst College and her master’s degree in Library and Information Services from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She and her husband, Tom, live in Addison.

To be considered for the Tradition of Excellence award, nominees must have graduated from Addison Trail more than 10 years ago; distinguished themselves in the academic, artistic, business, professional, entrepreneurial or public service field; demonstrated an ability to serve as an outstanding role model for current Addison Trail students; and performed services and/or accomplishments that have brought credit to their alma mater. To nominate someone for the Tradition of Excellence award, go to www.dupage88.net/TOEForm.