THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 7, 1996 TAG: 9607040224
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
SOURCE: Rebecca Myers Cuthins
LENGTH: 74 lines
In one week, Miles Baker will be heading to Atlanta.
He will be there for three weeks, and it's likely that he won't see a single Olympic event.
He'll instead be feeding the hungry in an Atlanta soup kitchen or helping a shut-in with some minor home repairs.
That's because this Portsmouth teen has opted to volunteer some of his free time this summer with ``Youth With a Mission,'' an international, interdenominational organization that aims to get youngsters involved in relief assistance, evangelism and training.
Miles, a rising junior at Stonebridge School, will be accompanied by his 15-year-old brother, Sam, and 11 young people from Liberty New Testament Church in West Norfolk. Two adults will serve as the group's chaperones.
Though active in basketball, track and cross country at his school, Miles is not disappointed that the mission may leave no time for a peek at the Summer Games.
``That's not our main goal down there,'' he said simply.
Staying focused comes easily for this 16-year-old who is no stranger to missionary work. Two years ago, Miles traveled to Ireland for three weeks. There he was primarily involved in dramatic performances with the Methodist Mission Society.
The son of Lawton and Patsy Baker of Elizabeth Manor, Miles would like to someday work in politics. But first, he intends to attend a military academy, perhaps the Naval Academy or West Point, to major in political science or history.
Name: Miles A.P. Baker.
Nickname: None.
Hometown: Portsmouth.
Birthdate: March 11, 1980.
School and grade: Stonebridge, rising junior.
Parents: Lawton and Patsy Baker.
Brothers/sisters: Sam Baker, 15.
Pets: None.
Favorite subject: History.
Favorite restaurant: Huckleberry's.
Hobbies: Piano, sailing.
Favorite movies: ``The Wizard of Oz,'' ``Monty Python and the Search for the Holy Grail.''
Favorite song or musical group: Dave Matthews Band.
Favorite sport: Cross country.
Favorite magazine: None.
Last book read for fun: ``Lord of the Rings'' by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Favorite TV shows: ``Seinfeld,'' ``Dr. Katz,'' ``Keeping Up Appearances.''
Last smart thing you did: I told my brother that I loved him.
Last dumb thing you did: I left the gas cap to my car at the gas station.
Pet peeve: When people argue over trivial matters.
Who is your hero? George Washington.
Your worst habit: Not saying what I really think.
Last vacation: My family and I spent a week in Nags Head.
Favorite way to spend a day: A day spent doing something active (such as hiking a mountain or going to the beach).
If you had 15 minutes on national television, what would you discuss? With 15 minutes, I would discuss how our nation has fallen away from the biblical foundation established by our founding fathers and how there is a need for reform so as to reinstate these guiding principles as was the original intention of the founders.
When I get older, I want to be: I believe that when I get older, I would like to serve this nation by means of an elected governmental position. This would entail a senatorial office or even president of the United States; however, before then I was considering such options as business, acting or radio, but I'm still not really sure yet. What I am sure of is that in all of my endeavors, I will seek after the Lord and his will so that I may follow it with all of my being. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL by CNB