RED OAK, Iowa – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a combat veteran and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today (Wednesday), nominated Iowa students from across the state to the United States’ Service Academies. Ernst says  “As a mother of a West Point cadet and a company commander who served over 23 years in uniform, one of the Senate duties I enjoy most each year is nominating outstanding Iowa students, and America’s future leaders, to our nation’s Service Academies,” said Senator Joni Ernst. “Every single one of this year’s bright applicants have demonstrated their skill and hard work, and I’m so pleased to support them as they take the next step in their journey and begin down the path of serving our nation.”

Ernst Nominates Iowa Students for America’s Service Academies

Here are the (area) Iowa students who were nominated by Senator Ernst to attend U.S. Service Academies for the Class of 2026:

United States Military Academy

• Sebastian Vasquez, Red Oak

United States Naval Academy

• Michael Davis, Treynor
• Alizia Frieze, Council Bluffs
• Tyler Shelton, Harlan

Every year, Ernst nominates Iowa students to America’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.