Miles Whitlow, a senior at James Clemens High School, has earned admission to the U.S. Naval Academy. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Miles Whitlow, a senior at James Clemens High School, has earned a direct appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy.

Whitlow felt that the academy was the school that would provide “an outstanding education, as well as further my growth as a young man. Attending school there will help me in any of my future endeavors, whether it be private industry or a military career,” he said.

His GPA of 3.9 helped secure his admission “but does not ultimately decide your fate,” Whitlow said. At James Clemens, he has enjoyed math classes. “My favorite teacher, Mrs. Amy Protos, made math more enjoyable than I imagined.”

In National Honor Society, Whitlow volunteers at community service and tutoring. He’s a member of the Principal Advisory Committee, a handpicked group of students who provides improvement ideas for James Clemens.

Whitlow is a standout athlete in football and track. For two years, he earned the highest GPA among football players and was voted offensive MVP and team captain.

As a junior and senior, he made first teams for Tennessee Valley All-Area football and All-State, along with Super State honorable mention. As wide receiver, he had 130 receptions, 2,100 yards receiving and 19 touchdowns.

In community volunteering, Whitlow helps at Manna House, winterizes homes with CASA and “helps spread the word of God through different sports” at Fellowship of Christian Athletes summer camps.

His parents are Virgil and Arica Whitlow. He is a retired U.S. Navy pilot and works as a contractor on Redstone Arsenal. She works as a loan officer at Redstone Federal Credit Union. Miles’ siblings are Cole and Jewel Whitlow.

“Like any other teenage kid, I love playing video games, but I also enjoy working out and hanging with ‘the fellas,'” Miles said. He collects football cards and watches “Animal Planet” and “National Geographic” network.

“In my free time, when I’m not very busy, I just like to relax,” Miles said.

At the academy, he will major in mathematics and minor in economics.