Congressman Cliff Bentz nominates 6 Central Oregon students for service academies; 16 statewide

DESCHUTES CO, Ore. (KTVZ)-- Congressman Cliff Bentz today announced the nomination of sixteen Oregon students to the United States service academies, including the Air Force Academy and the Naval Academy. The nominations recognize each student's exceptional academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and strong character.

The selections were made by Bentz’s Service Academy Nomination Board, composed of active-duty and retired military officers who evaluate potential candidates. Bentz, who represents Oregon’s 2nd Congressional District, expressed pride in the nominees, saying, “I am honored to nominate these outstanding young Oregonians to America’s service academies.” He added that the nominations reflect the students’ “hard work, dedication, and commitment to character.”

Members of the Service Academy Nomination Board include 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. Bentz thanked the board for its service, noting that “without their guidance and understanding of what it takes to succeed at the academies, these nominations would not be possible.”

Final admissions will be determined by each academy in spring 2025. The institutions include the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.; the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.; the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.; and the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y.

2025 Oregon Service Academy Nominees by County

• Deschutes County: Kelsea Bomke, Lucy Fisher, Cooper Garus, Taylor Goodrich, Jackson Hartley, and Steven Miller.
• Grant County: Vincent Raschio (Air Force Academy).
• Jackson County: Aviyah Jones, Gabriel Medina-Banuelos, Keegan Thonstad, and Benjamin Warner.
• Klamath County: Miranda Vincent (Air Force Academy).
• Umatilla County: Jefferson Steele (Naval Academy and Merchant Marine Academy).
• Union County: Kaden Jones.
• Wallowa County: Lauren McBurney.
• Wasco County: Sterling Coburn.

The diverse group of nominees represents communities across Central and Eastern Oregon.

Students interested in learning more about the service academy nomination process can visit bentz.house.gov/services/military-academy-nominations. Final admissions decisions will be announced by the respective academies in spring 2025.