Allen King, a senior at James Clemens High School, is the school’s first student to earn an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Allen King, a senior at James Clemens High School, is the school’s first student to earn an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.

“I want to serve my country as an officer in our nation’s Air Force,” King said. “I desire to attend the Air Force Academy because it offers the most rigorous training process to prepare me for a career in the Air Force.”

Academic achievement is the major factor in a service academy appointment. King easily satisfies that requirement with a GPA of 4.80. “Candidates must also demonstrate athletic and leadership ability,” King said.

His favorite classes are physics and engineering. “I enjoy these classes because I like studying and applying science and math,” he said.

At James Clemens, King is a member of the Math Team, Engineering Club, Science Bowl and is active in peer tutoring with the National Honor Society at James Clemens and Mill Creek Elementary School. King received the Youth Citizenship Award from the Daughters of the American Revolution.

In Boy Scouts, he has earned the rank of Eagle Scout. “Through Scouting, I participate in food drives, trail cleanups and other community service projects to benefit a variety of groups,” King said.

Allen’s parents are Rick and Molly King. “He is a project manager for the U.S. Army. She is a college professor,” Allen said.

“This is a great Christmas present for Allen,” Molly King said. “He really wanted this, and, of course, it affects his career and entire life.”

For hobbies, Allen enjoys playing soccer and backpacking the Appalachian Trail.

At the academy, Allen wants to study aeronautical engineering. He will report to Colorado Springs on June 25.