Montana Miller, a Taekwondo national champion, said her CHamoru heritage has always been close to her heart though she’s raised stateside. Her dream is to represent the United States in the 2028 and 2032 Olympics, and she hopes to compete in multiple Olympic cycles. “I want to bring pride to my family, my team, and especially to the CHamoru community,” she said. She said one of the most meaningful parts of this journey is just beginning. “I will soon be visiting Guam for the first time to connect with my cultural roots, meet family and friends, and deepen my understanding of where I come from. I’m incredibly excited to walk the land my ancestors did and build relationships with my island community,” she said. Her family comes from Chalan Pågo and the Espinosa family line. She will be attending University of Washington in Seattle this fall as a freshman, where she will be majoring in psychology. Miller graduated from high school in June 2025 with six academic honors, all while balancing a full-time athletic career. She’s been practicing Taekwondo for the past 13 years under Master Joe Whitworth at Northwest Black Belt Academy, and she currently holds a 3rd degree black belt. She represents Washington United Taekwondo and is a proud member of the 2025 U.S. Collegiate Team. Here are some of the accomplishments she has earned through years of dedication: #2 Ranked Pan American Athlete4x USA National Champion2x USA National Team Member2x AAU National Team MemberJunior Pan American Champion2x PanAm Presidents Cup Gold Medalist In addition to athletics, she also works professionally as a model, specifically in athletic and e-commerce campaigns. She has modeled for major global brands such as Adidas, Apple, Brooks, and more. “My work in modeling allows me to showcase strength, athleticism, and culture in a powerful and visual way,” she said. She’s thankful for her family, friends, and supporters on Guam. “Si Yu’os Ma’åse’ for keeping our culture alive and strong. I carry our island pride with me everywhere I go, whether it’s on the mat, in the classroom, or in front of the camera,” she said. “I hope to be a positive reflection of our people and to inspire young islanders to believe in themselves, chase big dreams, and never forget where they come from. Biba CHamoru, always.”