EPCHS Senior Kevin O’Toole Accepted into the Naval Academy

Kevin O’Toole, a senior at Evergreen Park Community High School, works hard to reach his goals. His most recent accomplishment is one of his greatest so far.

Kevin, son of Ron and Jodi O’Toole, has been accepted into the United States Naval Academy.

Taking the No. 2 spot in his class, Kevin is an honor roll student who fills his school days with Advanced Placement classes. This year alone he has taken Lit/Comp, Language/Culture, Statistics, Physics M-Mechanics, and Biology. Last year he took Calculus, US History 2, Psychology, and Language Composition. He also participates in many extracurricular activities including golf, swimming, and leadership activities such as National Honor Society, Captain of the Swim Team, Student Ambassador to the Board of Education, Student Government Co-Secretary, and Snowball Small Group Leader.

O’Toole said one of his favorite things about going to Evergreen Park Community High School is that it truly is a community high school, so most of the activities that he is involved in actively serve the community.

“Through National Honor Society and student leadership, I am constantly provided with service opportunities that I know are going to benefit those around me,” he said. “I always try to take advantage opportunities such as volunteering at the high school with Special Olympics or at Veterans Breakfasts.” Kevin also volunteers on his own by doing things like mowing his neighbor’s lawn. “I don’t think there is an act of service that is too small,” he said.

The application process for acceptance into the Naval Academy is extremely difficult and time consuming. It is contingent on many components including grades, extracurricular activities, volunteerism, and a nomination from a member of Congress. Kevin sought out and received nominations from Congressman Bobby Rush and Senator Tammy Duckworth.

“The process of getting accepted into the Naval Academy is extremely difficult in itself and really takes a couple years of focused effort in order to fulfill the requirements,” said Kevin’s guidance counselor, Mr. Tom Eisenbraun. “In addition, applicants are competing with other top students from across the country for a very limited amount of spaces. Kevin has truly demonstrated that he has the focus, maturity, and leadership skills to thrive while in Annapolis as well as in his service afterwards. He is an extremely determined and talented young man who has been able to find tremendous balance between excelling academically and all of his other school activities.”

Kevin chose a career in the military because his great grandfather was a naval surgeon in the Second World War and his grandfather was a soldier in the Korean War. Unfortunately, he never had the opportunity to meet either of them, but he said hearing their stories definitely served as an impetus for his interest in a military career.

Kevin hopes to commission as a Surface Warfare Officer or possibly a Naval Pilot. “My long term goal of attending the Academy is to develop myself into a leader dedicated to serving my country; serving as a force for good in a world in dire need of strong leaders,” he said.

O’Toole spoke of his personal heroes including Chris Kyle and his Mom. “The story of his time as a SEAL was my first exposure to the rewarding nature life in the military can provide and he for sure inspired me to consider it,” he said. “From a family perspective, my Mom is someone I admire above all and, without her support, I don’t think I would have accomplished all that I have.”

Expressing appreciation for some of the people at school, Kevin said, “I would just like to thank all of the administrators, teachers, and coaches who believed in me and supported me through this process. Special thanks to Superintendent Mr. O’Malley, Guidance Counselor Mr. Eisenbraun, History Teacher Mr. Enstrom, and Science Teacher/Swim Coach Ms. Sarah Marshall for their unyielding encouragement and assistance as I undertook the extensive process of applying to the Naval Academy. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”

The last thing Kevin had to say about his achievement was, “Go Navy! Beat Army!”