PHS student is nominated to West Point

By Terry Murry on Wednesday, January 15th, 2025 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Pendleton High School student Cash Paullus, the son of Joshua and Heidi Paullus is one of 14 students from the Second Congressional District to be nominated to one of the five United States service academies.

Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-Ontario) has named Paullus as a nominee to the U.S. Military Academy. He is the only student from Umatilla County to be nominated. Other students from Bentz’s district to receive nominations are from Deschutes, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Malheur, and Wasco counties.

The Republican lawmaker has a service academy nomination board that interviews students who want to pursue a career as an officer in one of the academies. The board, comprised of retired and active-duty military officers interview potential candidates, recommend them based on academic performance, extracurricular involvement, and character.

Oregon Army National Guard Col. Travis Lee, Oregon Air National Guard Col. Jason Nalepa (Retired), Marine Corps Lt. Col. Rich Halsted, Navy Commander John Howard (retired), and Oregon Army National Guard Capt. Stephanie Rokes comprise the board.

Students who are interested in learning more about service academy nominations can find it at https://bentz.house.gov/services/military-academy-nominations.

Photo from Ronda Thornburg, Pendleton School District