East Idaho Times

U.S. Senator Jim Risch of Idaho has announced his nominations for the United States service academies for the 2025-2026 academic year. The nominations include 55 individuals from Idaho who have shown leadership, academic potential, and a commitment to serving their country.

"Each year, I am impressed by the young men and women who apply to our nation’s military academies and step up to serve our country," said Risch. "These 55 Idahoans have demonstrated leadership, academic promise, and commitment to defending our freedoms. I commend them and look forward to their future success."

The nominated candidates will now be considered by four academies: the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point.

More information about service academy nominations can be found on Senator Risch's website or by contacting Frances Hasenoehrl via email at Frances_Hasenoehrl@risch.senate.gov.

The list of nominees includes individuals from various cities across Idaho:

For the U.S. Air Force Academy: Abigail Coleman (Idaho Falls), Alexandra Zuloeta (Meridian), Cash Spackman (Meridian), Ches Webb (Ririe), Claire Bryant (Star), Claudia Flores (Meridian), Dain Cullison (Meridian), Elizabeth Miller (Boise), Ella Shaughnessy (Hailey), Garrett Shirley (Star), Gillian Weber (Fairfield), Grady Klingler (Stanley), Jacob Joseph (Idaho Falls), Kelsee Hunt (Kamiah), Kendo Gunter (Boise), Kenneth Safe (Boise), Marcus Breen (Boise), Max Agres (Pocatello), Nathan Shumway (Middleton), Niclas Bischoff-Jones (Boise), Payton Norling (Meridian), Richard McIntyre(Post Falls) Roman Stonhill(Ammon) Roy Heath(Eagle) Ryan Ferguson(Wilder) Samuel Locke(Hayden) Sihu Hwang(Boise) William Principi(Boise) Wyatt Paulson(Hauser) Zachery Blansfield(Rathdrum).

For the U.S. Naval Academy: Alexis Danes(Boise) Ana Chase(Moyie Springs) Crew Belnap(Idaho Falls) Ella Shaughnessy(Hailey) Gillian Weber(Fairfield) Jackson Balsmeier(Idaho Falls) Jacob Farmer(Eagle )Jacob Joseph(Idaho Falls )Kelsee Hunt(Kamiah )Madyson Riley(Hayden )Malachi Walsh(Moscow )Mason Gibbons(Eagle )Paul Anderson(Boise )Roman Stonhill(Ammon )Zachery Blansfield(Rathdrum).

For the U.S. Military Academy: Axel Byrum(Boise ), Charles Tobler( Boise ), Dain Cullison(Meridian ), Ella Shaughnessy(Hailey ), Hayden Johnson( Boise ), Jacob Bryan( Ammon ), Keelee Burns(McCall ), Makenzie Baisch( Boise ), Max Agres(Pocatello ), Modoc Earley(Montpelier ), Octavian Chavez(Meridian ), Payton Norling(Meridian ), Roy Heath(Eagle ), Samuel Locke(Hayden )Timothy Strand(Merdian ).

For the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy: Kelsee Hunt(Kamiah )Kenneth Safe(Boi se Michael Wyman McCall Owen Erickson Meridian Roman Stonhill Ammon Sihu Hwang Boise Taggart Brey Coeur d’Alene William Principi Boise Zachery Blansfield Rathdrum