TAEKWONDO NATIONAL CHAMPION WITH GUAM ROOTS

First Person with Montana Miller

Håfa Adai! My name is Montana Miller, and I am proud to say that I will be attending the University of Washington in Seattle this fall as a freshman, where I will be majoring in psychology. My family comes from Chalan Pågo and the Espinosa family line, and even though I was raised stateside, my CHamoru heritage has always been close to my heart.

I graduated from high school in June 2025 with six academic honors, all while balancing a full-time athletic career. I’ve been practicing Taekwondo for the past 13 years under Master Joe Whitworth at Northwest Black Belt Academy, and I currently hold a 3rd degree black belt. I represent Washington United Taekwondo and am a proud member of the 2025 U.S. Collegiate Team.

Here are some of the accomplishments I’ve earned through years of dedication:

#2 Ranked Pan American Athlete

4x USA National Champion

2x USA National Team Member

2x AAU National Team Member

Junior Pan American Champion

2x PanAm Presidents Cup Gold Medalist

In addition to athletics, I also work professionally as a model, specifically in athletic and e-commerce campaigns. I’ve 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.

Looking forward, my dream is to represent the United States in the 2028 and 2032 Olympics, and I hope to compete in multiple Olympic cycles. I want to bring pride to my family, my team, and especially to the CHamoru community.

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.

Message to My Island Community:

To all my family, friends, and supporters in 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. 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.