Walden nominates 5 C.O. HS students to service academies

Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) has announced the nomination of five students from Central Oregon for acceptance to one of the prestigious United States service academies.

Members of Walden’s Service Academy Nomination Board — active and retired military officers who interview potential candidates to the service academies and make recommendations to Walden — selected these exceptional students based on their academic performance, extracurricular involvement and character.

“It is an honor and a privilege to nominate these remarkable young Oregonians to our nation’s service academies,” Walden said. “This nomination represents the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. Their decision to pursue higher education, develop leadership skills, and serve their country in uniform is a deeply admirable endeavor—a journey at which I am confident they will succeed. The future of our nation is in good hands.”

The service academies include the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.; the Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.; the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.; and the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y. Final selection for admission to the service academies will be performed by officials at each respective academy this spring.

Students who are interested in learning more about service academy nominations can visit Walden’s website at https://walden.house.gov/academynominations.

The nominees are as follows:

Deschutes County

Benjamin Brockman, son of Chuck & Antoinette Brockman of Bend, attending Bend Senior High School—nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Owen Hucke, son of Gary & Janet Hucke of Redmond, home schooled—nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy.

Noah Nagle, son of Josh & Becky Nagle of Bend, attending Summit High School—nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Military Academy.

Hannah Wood, daughter of Harry & Helen Wood of Bend, attending the Taipei American School in Taipei, Taiwan—nominated to the U.S. Military Academy.

Crook County

Jordan Rutz, daughter of Travis & Shannon Rutz of Prineville, attending Prineville High School—nominated to the U.S. Military Academy.