Ernst Nominates Iowa Students to U.S. Service Academies

WASHINGTON – United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a combat veteran and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced the Iowa students she is nominating to U.S. Service Academies.

“As a combat veteran and the proud mother of a West Point grad and soldier in the U.S. Army, one of my favorite duties as a United States Senator is nominating qualified Iowans to our U.S. Service Academies,” Ernst said. “These young leaders exemplify strong values, a dedication to academics, and a commitment to community service that make them exceptionally qualified to answer the call to serve our nation. It’s an honor to nominate them, and I know they will represent Iowa well.”

Below are the Iowa students nominated by Senator Ernst to attend U.S. Service Academies for the Class of 2029:

United States Air Force Academy

• Trenton Abel, Toddville
• Madison Andrews, Maysville
• Ava Blankinship, Ankeny
• BraeDee Cason, Winterset
• Grant Dunn, Johnston
• Kamden Kinne, Jefferson
• Anders Kittelson, Orchard
• Nicholaus Lee, Cedar Rapids
• Jacob Madsen, North Liberty
• Austin Nederhoff, Ely
• Connor Rash, Ames
• Abigail Sander, Polk City
• Ava Sauser, Le Claire
• Naomi Templeman, Dallas Center
• Hayden Walberg, Westfield 

United States Military Academy at West Point    

• Emmett Bartels, Runnells
• Sean Bendinger, West Des Moines
• Eric Ding, Davenport
• Benjamin Green, West Des Moines
• Berit Kallemeier, Urbandale
• Riley Kramer, Riverdale
• MacKenzie McClelland, Grinnell
• Aiden Price, Davenport
• Naomi Templeman, Dallas Center
• Conrad Yates, West Des Moines

 United States Naval Academy

• Alexis Bogardus, Granger
• Benjamin Green, West Des Moines
• Ellie Hance, Palo
• Theodore Hartwig, Marion
• Solene MacLean, Polk City
• Quentin Moore, Des Moines
• Owen Powell, Blue Grass
• Tyler Tingley, Council Bluffs
• Ryan Traynor, Urbandale
• Jonah Zimmer, Sperry

 United States Merchant Marine Academy

• Ella Goodrich, Adel
• Gage Holub, Mount Vernon

Background:

Every year, Ernst nominates Iowa students to U.S. Service Academies, including the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. The U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a congressional nomination for students to apply. To learn more about the service academy nomination process, click here.

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