Sixteen Oregon students from across the state are moving one step closer to careers of military service after receiving nominations to the nation’s elite U.S. service academies, a process that recognizes academic excellence, leadership, and demonstrated character. The nominations were announced January 21 by Congressman Cliff Bentz, who represents Oregon’s Second Congressional District.
Each year, members of Congress are authorized to nominate a limited number of candidates to the service academies. Those nominations do not guarantee admission, but they are a required and highly competitive gateway in the selection process. Candidates undergo rigorous academic review, medical screening, physical fitness evaluations, and leadership assessments before final appointments are made by the academies themselves.
Bentz credited his bipartisan Service Academy Nomination Board, made up of retired and active-duty military officers, with carefully evaluating applicants and recommending nominees based on merit. The board reviewed academic records, extracurricular involvement, and personal interviews before forwarding its recommendations.
“I am honored to nominate these outstanding young Oregonians to America’s service academies,” Bentz said in the release. “Years of hard work, dedication, and commitment to character development have earned these future leaders these much-deserved nominations.”
The service academies represent some of the most selective higher-education institutions in the country. Nominees from Oregon are being considered for admission to the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy, and the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Each academy combines a full undergraduate education with military training and a service commitment following graduation.
Bentz emphasized that the nomination board’s military experience plays a critical role in identifying candidates capable of succeeding in such demanding environments. He noted that the board’s understanding of the expectations placed on cadets and midshipmen directly informs the selection process and raises the overall caliber of nominees.
The sixteen students nominated in 2025 represent a broad cross-section of Oregon communities and educational backgrounds. From Deschutes County, nominees include Kelsea Bomke, Lucy Fisher, Cooper Garus, Taylor Goodrich, Jackson Hartley, and Steven Miller. Grant County nominee Vincent Raschio was also selected.
Jackson County students Aviyah Jones, Gabriel Medina-Banuelos, Keegan Thonstad, and Benjamin Warner received nominations, as did Miranda Vincent of Klamath County. Additional nominees include Jefferson Steele from Umatilla County, Kaden Jones from Union County, Lauren McBurney from Wallowa County, and Sterling Coburn from Wasco County.
Final decisions on appointments will be made by academy admissions officials this spring. For the students involved, the coming months will determine whether their nominations translate into appointments and the opportunity to begin military and academic training at one of the nation’s most respected institutions.
Students interested in pursuing a service academy nomination in future years can find additional information through Congressman Bentz’s official website, where application timelines and eligibility requirements are outlined.