— Submitted photo. Alex Hooker, above, recently graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — In a recent news release, Alex Hooker of Webster City successfully completed four years of challenging academic, physical and professional military training, graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering and a commission as a U.S. Navy Ensign.

Hooker is the son of Terry and Michelle Hooker of Webster City, and a 2019 graduate of Webster City High School.

At the academy, Hooker was a member of the USNA Cycling Team and the Tau Beta Pi – Engineering Honor Society.

Founded in 1845, the U.S. Naval Academy is a prestigious four-year service academy that prepares midshipmen morally, mentally and physically to be professional officers in the naval service. More than 4,400 men and women representing every state in the U.S. and several foreign countries make up the student body, known as the Brigade of Midshipmen.

U.S. New and World Reports has recognized the Naval Academy as a top five undergraduate engineering school and a top 20 best liberal arts college. Midshipmen learn from military and civilian instructors, while participating in intercollegiate varsity sports and extracurricular activities.

They also study subjects such as leadership, ethics, small arms, drill, seamanship and navigation, tactics, naval engineering and weapons, and military law. Upon graduation, midshipmen earn a Bachelor of Science degree in a choice of 27 different subject majors and go on to serve at least five years of exciting and rewarding service as commissioned officers in the U.S. Navy or U.S. Marine Corps.

Each year, approximately 1,200 young men and women are admitted to the Naval Academy’s incoming class.

The academy’s alumni include, one president, 21 members of Congress, five governors, 73 Medal of Honor recipients, two Nobel Prize winners, 54 astronauts and 4,000 admirals and generals.