Amy Flanery | LaSalle News Tribune

 

Adam Kanavos of Ottawa and Evan Hrasch of Streator were among 14 students from the 11th Congressional district who received nominations from U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger to attend a United States Service Academy.

 

“If you got the nomination from me, it means that I believe in you,” Kinzinger told the nominees at a reception on Saturday, “and we’ll see what the academies say after that.”

 

Kanavos, a sophomore at the University of Illinois, was nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He currently studies agriculture and bio-engineering and is a member of the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. Kanavos said he initially pursued West Point after high school but went with the Army ROTC instead. He hopes to attend the Naval Academy and eventually join the Marines.

 

“It’s always been something I feel like I’ve been called to do,” Kanavos said of pursuing a military career. “Something really drew me in, and frankly I can’t see myself sitting behind a desk when I graduate. I really want to be where the action is, and I want to be able to lead.”

 

Kanavos is a graduate of Marquette Academy in Ottawa. He is the son of Doris and Mark Kanavos of Ottawa.

 

Hrasch, a senior at Streator High School, was nominated to West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy. He hopes to be accepted to the Naval Academy.

 

“But any of them would be great,” he said. “It’s not a thing many people get to do.”

 

Hrasch has been involved in wrestling and was baseball team manager at Streator High School. He has also served as a tutor and mentor at the city’s community center and attended the Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C.

 

Hrasch said the lifestyle and structure of the military appeal to him, and he likes his odds of getting in.

 

“It’s nice,” he said. “Six thousand get nominated and 2,000 get accepted. It feels good to have that good of a chance.”

 

Hrasch is the son of Steve and Carrie Hrasch of Streator.