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Ernst Nominates Iowans to U.S. Service Academies

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

“For me, choosing to serve our country opened the door for the American Dream, allowed me to afford college, and paved the way for a life committed to service,” said Ernst. “I’m honored to nominate these Iowans to our U.S. Service Academies where they will receive not only a classroom education, but also learn the discipline, character, and leadership that comes with service. I’m proud of these students for stepping up and putting country first so that the United States of America can remain strong and free.”

After Ernst successfully included her SERVE Act, which boosts outreach efforts and shows high schoolers the opportunities of a military career, in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, she is proud to nominate the following Iowans for the Class of 2030:

United States Air Force Academy

  • Alexis Bogardus – Granger
  • Jorge Camarena – Council Bluffs
  • Gabriel Conrad – Iowa City
  • Charlee DeJong – West Des Moines
  • Parker Glassmaker – Meriden
  • Odin Hankins – Ainsworth
  • Eliana Hansen – Cedar Rapids
  • Jackson Lampe – Dubuque
  • Camilla McArthur – Atlantic
  • Mackenzie McClelland – Grinnell
  • Lydia Meunsaveng – Indianola
  • Luke Miller – Polk City
  • Ava Pellymonter – Le Claire
  • Hayden Sinclair – Waterloo
  • Joseph Winland – Cedar Falls

United States Military Academy

  • Alexis Bogardus – Granger
  • Jack Franzen – Urbandale
  • Berit Kallemeier – Urbandale
  • Jackson Lampe – Dubuque
  • Mackenzie McClelland – Grinnell
  • Luke Miller – Polk City
  • Quentin Moore – Des Moines
  • Allie Sackett – Cedar Rapids
  • Avery Schnack – Decorah
  • Daniel Spooner – Mason City
  • Naomi Templeman – Dallas Center
  • Santiago Vasquez – Red Oak
  • Lydia Weininger – Palo
  • Gabrielle Wilker – Saint Olaf
  • Kamryn Wolkenhauer – Danville

United States Naval Academy

  • Alexis Bogardus – Granger
  • Patrick Bowser – Urbandale
  • Charles Crane – West Des Moines
  • Eric Ding – Davenport
  • Jackson Goslin – Hiawatha
  • Ellie Hance – Palo
  • Camilla McArthur – Atlantic
  • Carter Mitchell – Des Moines
  • Quentin Moore – Des Moines
  • Owen Powell – Blue Grass
  • Connor Rash – Ames
  • Hayden Sinclair – Waterloo
  • Daniel Spooner – Mason City
  • Dane Thomas – Cedar Rapids
  • John Widtfeldt – Johnston

United States Merchant Marine Academy

  • Addison Flinn – Elkhart

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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