{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bentz-nominates-sixteen-oregon-students-for-consideration-to-us-service-academies", "Congressman Bentz Nominates Sixteen Oregon Students for Consideration to U.S. Service Academies", "2026-01-21", "2026", "2026-01", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Cliff Bentz", "B000668", "bentz.house.gov", "bentz", "https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2013 Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-OR) today announced that he nominated sixteen Oregon students for consideration for admission to the elite United States service academies (Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine). Bentz\u2019s Service Academy Nomination Board\u2013 retired and active-duty military officers who interview potential candidates for service academies attendance\u2013 recommended each student based on their academic performance, extracurricular involvement, and character.\n\n\"I am honored to nominate these outstanding young Oregonians to America\u2019s service academies,\" Congressman Bentz said. \"Years of hard work, dedication, and commitment to character development have earned these future leaders these much-deserved nominations. By pursuing a higher education at one of our country\u2019s select service academies, these students have shown a desire to lead by example, grow intellectually, and serve the United States in uniform.\n\nI also thank my Service Academy Nomination Board for its work in selecting and recommending these young leaders. The Board members' experience serving our country in uniform is invaluable to the nomination process and is reflected in the caliber of the students they recommended for nominations this year, said Congressman Bentz. Without their guidance and understanding of what it takes to succeed at the U.S. service academies, these nominations would not be possible.\"\n\nCongressman Bentz\u2019s Service Academy Nomination Board included 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.\n\nThe 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.\n\nStudents who are interested in learning more about service academy nominations can visit Bentz\u2019s website at https://bentz.house.gov/services/military-academy-nominations.\n\nThe 2025 Academy Nominee\u2019s Oregon are as follows:\n\nDeschutes County\n\nKelsea Bomke, daughter of Kurt and Jen Bomke of Bend, attending Oregon State University - nominated to the United States Air Force Academy.\n\nLucy Fisher, daughter of Ryan and Tamara Fisher of La Pine, attending La Pine High School - nominated to the United States Air Force Academy and United States Naval Academy.\n\nCooper Garus, son of Toby and April Garus of Bend, attending Trinity Lutheran High School - nominated to the United States Naval Academy.\n\nTaylor Goodrich, daughter of Alex and Tiffany Goodrich of Bend, attending Oregon Family School - nominated to the United States Naval Academy, United States Air Force Academy, United States Military Academy and United States Merchant Marine Academy.\n\nJackson Hartley, son of Patrick and Jill Hartley of Bend, attending United States Air Force Academy Prep School - nominated to the United States Air Force Academy.\n\nSteven Miller, son of Steven and Melanie Miller of La Pine, attending United States Air Force Academy Prep School - nominated to the United States Air Force Academy.\n\nGrant County\n\nVincent Raschio, son of Robert and Sena Raschio of John Day, attending Grant Union High School- nominated to the United States Air Force Academy.\n\nJackson County\n\nAviyah Jones, daughter of Adam and April Jones of Jacksonville, attending Rogue Community College- nominated to the United States Air Force Academy.\n\nGabriel Medina-Banuelos, son of Roberto Cervantes and Yolanda Medina of Medford, attending Chesterton Academy of the Rogue Valley\u2013 nominated to the United States Military Academy.\n\nKeegan Thonstad, son of Dennis and Cassandra Thonstad of Medford, attending South Medford High School- nominated to the United States Air Force Academy and United States Naval Academy.\n\nBenjamin Warner, son of Sean and Audra Warner of Central Point, attending Crater High School- nominated to the United States Military Academy.\n\nKlamath County\n\nMiranda Vincent, daughter of Wayne and Suk Ching Vincent of Klamath Falls, attending Henley High School- nominated to the United States Air Force Academy.\n\nUmatilla County\n\nJefferson Steele, son of Jesse and Kelly Steele of Pendleton, attending Teach Northwest Charter School- nominated to the United States Naval Academy and United States Merchant Marine Academy.\n\nUnion County\n\nKaden Jones, son of Trevor and Alynn Jones of La Grande, attending La Grande High School- nominated to the United States Air Force Academy.\n\nWallowa County\n\nLauren McBurney, daughter of Lawrence McBurney and Chantay Jett of Joseph, attending Joseph Charter School- nominated to the United States Air Force Academy.\n\nWasco County\n\nSterling Coburn, son of Mark and Staci Coburn of The Dalles, attending The Dalles High School- nominated to the United States Military Academy.", 1, "2026-04-21T05:46:59Z", "2026-04-21T05:48:34Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bentz-nominates-sixteen-oregon-students-for-consideration-to-us-service-academies"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8610191289335489, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}