A flag flies at the United States Air Force Academy in El Paso County, Colo. this past October. PHOTO BY JUSTIN PACHECO & TREVOR COKLEY/U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY

On Monday, Dec. 23, U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) announced his support for 34 Iowa students seeking acceptance to U.S. military academies including Union High School’s Brayden Bohnsack of La Porte City who was nominated for entrance to the United States Air Force Academy.

“I’m honored to nominate these 34 extraordinary Iowans to our nation’s prestigious military academies,” Grassley said. “These young men and women represent Iowa’s best and brightest. Their accomplishments, leadership and desire to serve are commendable. I look forward to seeing all they accomplish going forward.”

Each year, Grassley nominates Iowa high school seniors for placements at the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. All service academies select at least one of Grassley’s nominees.

Learn more about service academy nominations here: https://www.grassley.senate.gov/services/academy-nominations

Grassley’s nominees for entrance during the 2025-2026 academic year follow:

United States Air Force Academy

Trenton Abel, Toddville

Emmett Bartels, Runnells

Sean Bendinger, West Des Moines

Alexis Bogardus, Granger

Brayden Bohnsack, La Porte City

Grant Dunn, Johnston

Benjamin Green, West Des Moines

Eliana Hansen, Cedar Rapids

Shae Magley, Cedar Falls

Amelia Porisch, St. Ansgar

Ky Wilkens, Dallas Center

United States Military Academy at West Point

Eric Ding, Davenport

MacKenzie Fah, Bettendorf

Theodore Hartwig, Marion

MacKenzie McClelland, Grinnell

Aiden Price, Davenport

Abigail Sander, Polk City

Naomi Templeman, Dallas Center

Jonah Zimmer, Sperry

United States Naval Academy

Madison Andrews, Maysville

Ava Blankenship, Ankeny

Ella Goodrich, Adel

Ellie Hance, Palo

Evan Kohlsdorf, Des Moines

Riley Kramer, Riverdale

Solene MacLean, Polk City

Brigid McGowan, Sioux City

Quentin Moore, Des Moines

Owen Powell, Blue Grass

Connor Rash, Ames

Tyler Tingley, Council Bluffs

Ryan Traynor, Urbandale

Conrad Yates, West Des Moines

United States Merchant Marine Academy

Sean Bendinger, West Des Moines

Ella Goodrich, Adel

Gage Holub, Mt. Vernon

Conrad Yates, West Des Moines