16 students in 2nd Congressional District are nominated for service academies
By Terry Murry on Thursday, January 22nd, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Several students from Eastern Oregon who are part of the Second Congressional District have been nominated to the United states service academies. Each student has been recommended based on academic performance, extracurricular involvement and character.
The Service Academy Nomination Board appointed by Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-Ontario) nominated the students. That board is comprised of officers and retired officers from the U.S. Marine Corps, the Oregon Air National Guard, the U.S. Navy, the Oregon Army National Guard, and the U.S. Army.
The 2025 Academy Nominee’s from Oregon are as follows:
Grant County
Vincent Raschio, son of Robert and Sena Raschio of John Day, attending Grant Union High School- nominated to the United States Air Force Academy.
Umatilla County
Jefferson 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.
Union County
Kaden Jones, son of Trevor and Alynn Jones of La Grande, attending La Grande High School- nominated to the United States Air Force Academy.
Wallowa County
Lauren McBurney, daughter of Lawrence McBurney and Chantay Jett of Joseph, attending Joseph Charter School- nominated to the United States Air Force Academy.
Wasco County
Sterling Coburn, son of Mark and Staci Coburn of The Dalles, attending The Dalles High School- nominated to the United States Military Academy.
Deschutes County
Kelsea Bomke, daughter of Kurt and Jen Bomke of Bend, attending Oregon State University- nominated to the United States Air Force Academy.
Lucy 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.
Cooper Garus, son of Toby and April Garus of Bend, attending Trinity Lutheran High School- nominated to the United States Naval Academy.
Taylor 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.
Jackson 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.
Steven 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.
Jackson County
Aviyah Jones, daughter of Adam and April Jones of Jacksonville, attending Rogue Community College- nominated to the United States Air Force Academy.
Gabriel Medina-Banuelos, son of Roberto Cervantes and Yolanda Medina of Medford, attending Chesterton Academy of the Rogue Valley– nominated to the United States Military Academy.
Keegan 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.
Benjamin Warner, son of Sean and Audra Warner of Central Point, attending Crater High School- nominated to the United States Military Academy.
Klamath County
Miranda Vincent, daughter of Wayne and Suk Ching Vincent of Klamath Falls, attending Henley High School- nominated to the United States Air Force Academy.
