Community Corner
Whiz Kid: Volleyball Player/Musician Appears to Win Local School Board Race
Where senior goes to college depends on final election outcome.
Kevin Hannon, 18, Minooka Community High School Senior
Kevin Hannon learned in his government class that he could run for the local school board. He met the age requirements, so he went home and slept on the idea. He knew that it would be a challenge and a time commitment.
His government teachers Dennis Grosskopf and Kevin Murphy influenced his decision to join the school board race.
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Grosskopf helped gather the information that Hannon needed to be placed on the ballot and Murphy would quiz him on issues that he would face if on the school board. Murphy also encouraged students of voting age to exercise their vote.
Although he had some doubts, Hannon's gut feeling told him to run for a board seat, make a difference and gain a great experience.
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On April 5, residents of the Minooka Community Consolidated School District 201, called for a change and voted Hannon to the four-year school board position. While the results of the election are still unofficial until April 26, the tallies show Hannon defeated incumbent David Hill by 13 votes.
“I’ve known Hill for a long time and he’s a great guy,” Hannon said. “I have some big shoes to fill. It’s sad to see he wasn’t elected but I’m also glad that I’m part of the board.”
On April 27, Hannon will be sworn into office.
“If it wasn’t for Grosskopf, I don’t think I would have run,” Hannon said.
During his term, Hannon would like to see the fine arts programs that were slashed due to budget cuts increased and to implement an after-school program where students with working parents can do their homework and play intramural sports.
Hannon will be faced with many difficult challenges as a board member, and he will be facing one very soon. His college plans will be determined on the final outcome of votes.
Hannon wants to attend Northern Illinois University and have a dual major in music education and political science. He would love to play French horn in the band there, especially the marching band.
Unfortunately, NIU and the school board are both four-year obligations.
“Personally, I believe I would be able to handle both, but if being away is a conflict, I will attend Joliet Junior College and later work out the remaining two years of the term,” Hannon said. “I have a job to do here.”
Until then, Hannon is a MCHS band member and has played on the school’s boys volleyball team all four years of high school.
He also is a member of the Interact Club, a community service organization that has participated in events such as fundraisers for soldiers and purchasing wells in Africa. As a member of the club, he has also been involved in programs that assist Timbers of Shorewood, an assisted living home.
In his spare time, he tends to his homework, enjoys listening to different genres of music and spends time with his girlfriend. They both had a great time at prom April 16.
As for the summer, Hannon plans to travel to Minnesota to watch the Junior Olympic Volleyball Tournament and will be a camp counselor at the marching band camp at Eastern Illinois University.
“My main focus is going to be trying to relax,” Hannon said.
