When looking for photos of Miles Layton as a young boy, you would be hard pressed to find a time in his life where he wasn’t holding a bat or glove. Baseball is in his blood, taking after his father and his uncle. The Brighton High pitcher, who has carried his team to the 2025 5A state baseball championships, even wears his father’s jersey number, 11. Layton says it has proven to be more than just a sport, even a mentally demanding one at that. “There are so many life lessons and life connections, baseball has bettered me as a person, as a son, a friend, and a brother, way more than I could have expected,” he says. Layton’s dedication at the pitcher’s mound even led him to receive the America First Athlete Award and he has committed to playing for the Air Force Academy after returning from a proselytizing mission to Fiji. Layton’s acceptance into the Air Force Academy puts him on par with those entering Ivy League schools as the Academy’s acceptance rate is only 16 percent. He plans to pursue a career in cybersecurity, working toward a computer sciences major. As he looks to his future, he says some of his best memories as a Bengal are of course on the baseball diamond, and peer tutoring with his fellow students who have disabilities. “I’ve found such a great love for them and seeing the love they have every day,” he says, “that’s been the greatest experience.” Layton is grateful for the love and support of his teachers, coaches, and teammates — but especially his family. “I have the best parents in the world,” he says, “and I’m so grateful for them and all that they have given me. I have three sisters that are such amazing role models, even though some of them are younger, I still look up to them.” Layton’s advice for incoming freshmen and next year’s senior class is to take it all in. “Looking back now that I’m graduating, it’s crazy how fast it has gone,” he says, “I’d just tell myself to enjoy it, get to know as many people as you can and just be nice to everyone.