Rep. Cliff Bentz nominates 14 Oregon students for acceptance to U.S. service academies

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) -- Rep. Cliff Bentz, R-Oregon, announced Tuesday that he has nominated 14 Oregon students for acceptance to the prestigious United States service academies.

Bentz’ Service Academy Nomination Board -- retired and active-duty military officers who interview potential candidates for the service academies -- recommended each student based on their academic performance, extracurricular involvement, and character. 

"I am honored to nominate these outstanding young Oregonians to America’s service academies," Congressman Bentz said. "Years of hard work, dedication, and commitment to character have earned these future leaders these much-deserved nominations.

"By pursuing a higher education at one of our country’s select service academies, these students have shown a desire to lead by example, grow intellectually, and serve the United States in uniform. I am confident that each nominee will have tremendous success in this admirable endeavor and that their futures will be bright.

"I also thank my Service Academy Nomination Board for recommending these young leaders. Their experience serving our country in uniform is invaluable to the nomination process and speaks to the caliber of the students they interviewed and recommended for nominations this year. Without their guidance and understanding of what it takes to succeed at the U.S. service academies, these nominations would not be possible."

Serving on Bentz’ Service Academy Nomination Board were:  Retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Dave Dotterrer, Oregon Air National Guard Colonel Jason Nalepa, Retired U.S. Navy Commander John Howard, Oregon Army National Guard Lieutenant Colonel Travis Lee, Oregon Army National Guard Captain Stephanie Rokes.

The service academies include the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado; the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York; the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; and the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York. Final selection for admission to the service academies will be determined by officials at each respective academy this spring.

Students who are interested in learning more about service academy nominations can visit Bentz’ website at https://bentz.house.gov/services/military-academy-nominations.

The nominees from Oregon are as follows:

2023 Academy Nominees

Baker County 

• Ashton Letourneau, son of Jason and Cassi Letourneau of Baker City, attending Home School - nominated to the Unites States Air Force Academy.

Deschutes County 

• Henry Micek, son of Edward Micek III and Laura Schaben of Bend, attending Caldera High School - nominated to the United States Military Academy.

Jackson County 

• Christian Derek, son of Todd and Sarah Derek of Central Point, attending the University of Oregon – nominated to the United States Air Force Academy.
• Sean Donohue, son of Robert Donohue and Jennifer Drake of Phoenix, attending Phoenix High School – nominated to the United States Naval Academy.  
• Mia Marinucci, daughter of James and Heather Marinucci of Eagle Point, attending Eagle Point High School – nominated to the United States Military Academy.
• Timothy Paul, son of Michael and Susan Paul of Applegate, attending Osan Midde High School – nominated to the United States Air Force Academy.
• Alyssa Powell, daughter of Eric and Sarti Powell of Eagle Point, attending Eagle Point High School – nominated to the United States Air Force Academy.
• Wren Rambo, son of Tom and Sidney Rambo of Central Point, attending Crater Academy of Health and Public Service High School – nominated to the United States Military Academy. 

Jefferson County

• Hunter Carpen, son of Dwight Carpen and Kellie Passarello of Madras, attending Madras High School – nominated to the United States Naval Academy, United States Air Force Academy and the United States Military Academy.

Josephine County 

• Aiden Fiske, son of Jason and Amy Fiske of Grants Pass, attending Hidden Valley High School – nominated to the United States Air Force Academy.

Klamath County 

• Konnor Lilly, son of Michael and Katherine of Klamath Falls, attending T.R. Robinson High School - nominated to the Unites States Naval Academy.

Lake County 

• Samuel Endicott, son of Troy and Tammy Endicott of Lakeview, attending Vista Ridge High School - nominated to the United States Merchant Marine Academy and the United States Air Force Academy.

Wasco County

• Julian Aguilar-Dexter, son of Uriel Aguilar and Sherry Dexter, serving in the United States Air Force – nominated to the United States Air Force Academy.
• Connor Sam, son of Kameron Sam and Lori Blattel-Sam of The Dalles, attending The Dalles High School - nominated to the United States Military Academy.