Addison Trail honors alumna with Tradition of Excellence award

On Nov. 4, Addison Trail staff members and alumni, along with community members, welcomed alumna Sher Pasquini (class of 1975) as this year’s Tradition of Excellence recipient.

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 19 recipients in professional fields such as medicine, engineering, science, education, art, music and law.

During the induction ceremony, Pasquini was introduced by two of her classmates, Donald Ortale and Patti Ferguson. Addison Trail Principal Adam Cibulka and Tradition of Excellence Committee Chairperson Cindy Bruns also congratulated Pasquini on her accomplishments. Pasquini spoke about how Addison Trail helped prepare her for life after high school and enabled her to reach the level of success she has achieved today.

“What I know for sure after 40 years (after graduating from Addison Trail) is use your voice for kindness, your ears for compassion, your hands for charity, your mind for truth and your heart for gratitude and love,” Pasquini said. “Never give up on your dreams. And thank you to everyone at Addison Trail for never giving up on me.”

Pasquini is an accomplished businesswoman, dedicated to a career that has taken her to more than 65 countries and spans more than four decades. Her global contributions to the hospitality industry, the U.S. Federal Government and nongovernmental agencies have been recognized with some of the highest honors of excellence throughout the world. After graduating from college, Pasquini became the (then) youngest female general manager in the history of Hyatt.

Pasquini began working internationally in 1995, when she was hired by the United Nations Command – Department of Defense to serve as the Director of Human Resources and Training for the Morale, Welfare and Recreation in Seoul, South Korea. Returning stateside, Pasquini continued her international human resources work for PAE Lockheed Martin, a government contractor with 6,000 employees throughout the globe that serves U.S. government agencies and international-aid organizations and provides support services for the U.S. Department of State, U.S. embassies and every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. Pasquini is currently the International Employee Relations (Director) Senior Advisor for World Vision International, an international humanitarian emergency-aid organization.

On Nov. 5, Pasquini spoke with Addison Trail students during the Tradition of Excellence assemblies, and she also joined a group of students for lunch.

To be considered for the Tradition of Excellence, applicants 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 https://dupage88.net/site/public/files/?item=644.