Myana Welch made history in 2017 when she became the first Chamorro woman to represent Guam in the Miss Universe pageant. Born and raised on Guam, Myana grew up with a passion for the performing arts and a desire to make a difference in her community. Her journey to the Miss Universe stage was a long and challenging one, but her hard work and dedication paid off in a big way.
Early Life and Career
Myana Welch was born and raised on the island of Guam, where she developed a love for dance and theater at a young age. She attended the University of Guam, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts. After graduation, she worked as a dance instructor and performed in various productions on Guam and in the United States.
In 2017, Myana decided to enter the Miss Universe Guam pageant, which had previously been dominated by women of Filipino descent. Despite facing tough competition from other talented and accomplished women, Myana’s charisma, poise, and talent helped her to stand out from the crowd. She was crowned Miss Universe Guam in August of that year, earning the opportunity to represent her island home on the world stage.
Miss Universe Guam 2017
As Miss Universe Guam, Myana Welch traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada to compete in the Miss Universe pageant. She was one of 92 contestants from around the world vying for the title of Miss Universe. Myana’s grace, confidence, and intelligence shone through during the competition, earning her a spot in the Top 16.
Although she didn’t advance beyond the Top 16, Myana’s performance was a major milestone for Guam and for Chamorro women. She was the first Chamorro woman to represent Guam at the Miss Universe pageant, and her success inspired many young women on the island to pursue their dreams.
Life After Miss Universe
After her reign as Miss Universe Guam ended, Myana Welch continued to make a positive impact on her island community. She worked as a performing arts instructor, mentoring young people and helping them to develop their talents and passions. She also became an advocate for mental health awareness, sharing her own struggles with anxiety and depression in order to help others.
In 2020, Myana Welch made headlines again when she announced her candidacy for the Guam Legislature. Running as a Democrat, Myana campaigned on a platform of supporting education, strengthening the economy, and promoting equality and diversity. Although she ultimately did not win the election, her campaign energized many young voters on Guam and helped to bring new voices to the political arena.
Conclusion
Myana Welch is a true inspiration to the people of Guam and to young women around the world. Her journey from a small island in the Pacific to the Miss Universe stage and beyond is a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and passion. As a performer, educator, and advocate, Myana has made a lasting impact on her community and has inspired countless others to follow in her footsteps.
Photo by Herman Crisostomo
Tags: Herman Crisostomo, Models, Women
Guam based photographer and filmmaker. Owner of Pacific Pictures Film & Video, Pictures, Inc., and Tribalmoda.
Training: BA and BS in Illustrative Photography from Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California, and an MFA in Film from Art Center, College of Design in Los Angeles.
Photography & Cinematography — Produce, Direct, Shoot, Edit TV commercials, Music Videos, Documentaries, Corporate Videos. TV, Print Advertising, Fashion Glamour Model Portfolio Photography/Social Media Marketing Strategies.