Oregon — Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-OR) announced he has nominated sixteen Oregon students for consideration for admission to the United States service academies, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine academies.
The nominations were recommended by Bentz’s Service Academy Nomination Board, composed of retired and active-duty military officers who evaluated candidates based on academic performance, extracurricular involvement, and character.
“I am honored to nominate these outstanding young Oregonians to America’s service academies,” Bentz said. “Years of hard work, dedication, and commitment to character development have earned these future leaders these much-deserved nominations.”
Bentz also thanked the nomination board members for their role in selecting candidates, including Retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Dave Dotterrer, Oregon Air National Guard Colonel Adam Gaudinski, Retired U.S. Navy Captain Chris Peyton, Oregon Army National Guard Major Stephanie Rokes, and U.S. Army Veteran Captain Anne Havniear.
The service academies include the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point. Final admission decisions will be made by academy officials this spring.
The 2025 Oregon academy nominees are:
Deschutes County
- Kelsea Bomke of Bend — nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy
- Lucy Fisher of La Pine — nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Naval Academy
- Cooper Garus of Bend — nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy
- Taylor Goodrich of Bend — nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Military Academy, and Merchant Marine Academy
- Jackson Hartley of Bend — nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy
- Steven Miller of La Pine — nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy
Grant County
- Vincent Raschio of John Day — nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy
Jackson County
- Aviyah Jones of Jacksonville — nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy
- Gabriel Medina-Banuelos of Medford — nominated to the U.S. Military Academy
- Keegan Thonstad of Medford — nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Naval Academy
- Benjamin Warner of Central Point — nominated to the U.S. Military Academy
Klamath County
- Miranda Vincent of Klamath Falls — nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy
Umatilla County
- Jefferson Steele of Pendleton — nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy and Merchant Marine Academy
Union County
- Kaden Jones of La Grande — nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy
Wallowa County
- Lauren McBurney of Joseph — nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy
Wasco County
- Sterling Coburn of The Dalles — nominated to the U.S. Military Academy
Students interested in learning more about the nomination process can visit Bentz’s official website.
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