Five cadets from Madison are 2012 graduates of the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Megan Hurley, third from left, is shown with her mother Janet Hurley, sister Samantha Hurley and father Michael Hurley.

Derek Bouldin, Shige Clark, Zachary Clark, Megan Hurley and John Wetzel are alumni of Bob Jones High School.

West Point officials scheduled an interview for Hurley to speak to the Madison Record.

Moving often with her father’s engineering career, Hurley was born in West Palm Beach, Fla. The family moved to Madison, back to Florida and then to Maryland, Pennsylvania, Alabama and New York.

“I spent my final two years at Bob Jones. Madison is my favorite place of all the places that I’ve lived. That’s why I call Alabama home,” Hurley said.

West Point cadets take more classes than average college students. “We use the Thayer method of instruction. You teach yourself and go to class to reinforce study,” Hurley said. On average and depending on major, cadets take 23 or 24 credit hours per semester.

“The first year everyone takes basic courses,” Hurley said. “West Point has one of the most renowned engineering programs so everyone must take at least one engineering elective.” As an upperclassman, she chose to emphasize chemistry and life sciences for a pre-med track.

Cadets must complete numerous courses in physical training and chose a “lifetime sport” as a sophomore. “Our Department of Physical Education (PE) is commonly called ‘The Department of Pure Evil,'” Hurley said with a laugh.

Her parents are Michael and Janet Hurley. He works for Sikorsky Engineering, and she works as a geriatric care manager. Her sister Samantha is a sophomore at Samford University.

Megan Hurley completed the airborne school (parachuting) and air assault (repelling from helicopters). She earned the gold proficiency badge in track and field.

For four years, she volunteered as a Sunday school teacher. She belonged to the Spanish and public affairs clubs and Officers of Christian Fellowship.

Hurley now will train as quartermaster in logistics at Fort Lee, Va. for 16 weeks and then be stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C.

Hurley is engaged to 1st Lt. Zachary March.