Lauren Teal commissioned 2nd Lt. after graduating from the U.S. Military Academy

WEST POINT, N.Y. - Cadet Lauren Teal, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Teal of Salem, graduated from the U.S. Military Academy on May 31.

Teal graduated in the top 5.5 percent overall in the class of 2008.

She is a 2004 Salem High graduate. While at West Point, she concentrated her studies in environmental geography with honors. As a member of the class of 2008, with the highest academic standing among all geography majors, Teal received several awards on May 29 during a ceremony held in the geography dept.

At the awards convocation held May 30, she also received:

4 The Congressional Medal of Honor Society Award, established in 1968. A pewter tray awarded for excellence in geography.

4 The Eastern College Athletic Conference Merit Award, established in 1959. A plaque presented for excellence in athletics and scholarship.

4 The First Lieutenant Elissa M. Bergevin Memorial Award, established in 1993. A pewter tray awarded to the most valuable player on the women's volleyball team.

Teal was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army within the Medical Service Corps branch and will report to West Point, NY for her first assignment.

She served as co-captain of the women's varsity Black Knights (Div. I) volleyball squad her senior year. She earned four varsity letters during her four years at the academy and closed out her senior year with a fourth consecutive mention on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll. Teal also earned ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District I first team honors in November.

The mission of the academy is "to educate, train, inspire the corps of cadets, so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character, committed to the values of duty, honor, country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the nation as an officer in the United States Army."