The Guam Daily Post

For most athletes, the story starts with the wins, the trophies, the streaks and the highlight moments that define a career. But for Sadie Guerrero, the pitcher who would go on to throw four no-hitters and a one-hitter in her senior season, the moment that shaped everything wasn't a victory at all.

It was a loss.

Her first and only high school loss as a starting pitcher.

But that imperfect record, that lone blemish, became the turning point. It humbled her. It sharpened her. It taught her that success isn't a finish line but a responsibility. And it became the quiet engine behind everything she accomplished afterward.

By the time she reached her senior year at the Academy of Our Lady of Guam, Sadie had grown into the kind of pitcher who didn't just lead a team, she anchored a dynasty.

When Sadie learned she was a finalist for the 2026 Shieh Su Ying Scholar Athlete Scholarship, she didn't think about herself first. She thought about everyone who had poured into her: her parents, Benjamin and Jenais Guerrero; her teachers; her teammates; and the coaches who shaped her.

“Being selected is incredibly humbling,” she said. “There are so many talented student-athletes across Guam, and I’m grateful to be considered among them.”

✏️ Jojo Santo Tomas | The Guam Daily Post

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How an imperfect record made everything perfect: the rise of Sadie Guerrero For most athletes, the story starts with the wins, the trophies, the streaks and the highlight moments that define a career. But for Sadie Guerrero, the pitcher who would go

Before he ever won an All-Island title, before he earned a nomination as a 2026 Shieh Su Ying Scholar Athlete finalist, Kai Duenas learned what it felt like to fall short. That moment, a freshman-year loss in the wrestling finals, could have stayed with him as a disappointment. Instead, it became the hinge point of his entire high school career.

He remembers its sting, the frustration, the feeling that he had let himself down. But he also remembers the decision that came next: respond, not retreat. That loss became the spark that pushed him to train harder, study smarter, lead better, and serve with intention and conviction. It became the moment that shaped everything that followed.

And now, as he prepares to leave Guam for the United States Air Force Academy, Kai sees that setback for what it really was: the beginning of the version of himself he always hoped to become.

When Kai learned he was a Shieh finalist, the first thing he felt was gratitude. He saw the notification, shared it with his family, and let the moment sink in. It wasn’t just about recognition. It was about validation.

“Being selected as a Shieh finalist is a huge honor,” he said. “It reminded me that all the hard work I put into academics, wrestling, leadership, and community service was worth it.”

He plans to pursue a medical-related field and eventually serve as an Air Force officer. For him, it’s not just a career choice. It’s a calling.

✏️ Jojo Santo Tomas | The Guam Daily Post

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Kai Duenas and the lessons learned from loss Before he ever won an All-Island title, before he earned a nomination as a 2026 Shieh Su Ying Scholar Athlete finalist, Kai Duenas learned what it felt like to fall

More than 40 people packed a conference room in Hagåtña on Saturday to take apart the proposed 2026 Programmatic Agreement, the military cultural heritage pact that critics say hands control of Guam's ancestral sites and so-called sacred lands over to the Navy, and they left with a plan to take the fight to the governor.

The forum, organized by activist group Prutehi Guåhan and hosted at the Kumisión i Fino' CHamoru offices in the Bell Tower building, brought together preservation professionals, community advocates, and members of the public for what organizers described as the most substantive public discussion yet on a document they say is riddled with loopholes.

Monaeka Flores, head of the activist group, said the turnout reflected something broader than her organization's reach.

Among those in attendance were Joe Quinata, former chief program officer of the Guam Preservation Trust, along with staff from the offices of Sen. Telo Taitague, Sen. Therese Terlaje, Sen. Sabina Perez, and Sen. Tina Muna Barnes. Congressional candidate and former Sen. Mary Camacho Torres also attended. Notably absent were State Historic Preservation Officer Patrick Lujan and any representative from the governor's office, both of whom had been invited.

Flores said the message coming out of the forum was pointed.

"People are excited to see where we go from here and the next steps," she said. "One of those steps is to reach out to the governor and lieutenant governor and ask that they halt the programmatic agreement and prevent it from moving further for signature and that they meet with us so that we can share a lot of the information we presented at the forum and many recommendations that came from the panelists and community members who participated."

The group was finalizing a letter to Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero as of press time, with Flores saying she hoped to get it out as soon as possible.

✏️ Walter Ulloa | The Guam Daily Post
📷 Frank San Nicolas | The Guam Daily Post

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Activists oppose draft heritage pact, urge governor to step in More than 40 people packed a conference room in Hagåtña on Saturday to take apart the proposed 2026 Programmatic Agreement, the military cultural heritage pact that critics say hands control

For Daria Calvo, farming isn't just about growing food. It's about holding on to something her generation nearly lost.

"I remember when I was a kid growing up, I would always observe my papa and my mama and all my elders really take care of the land and use the land to feed our family," she said. "I felt the need to bring that practice or that mindset back to this generation."

That conviction helped spark Fam Farms, the local youth agriculture initiative Calvo co-founded in 2023 with Storm Piper. Now in its third year, Fam Farms' Famagu'on Farmers program returns this summer for a six-week Saturday workshop series running June 13 through July 25, from 3 to 5 p.m. Registration is now open at $200 per participant.

The program pairs youth with local agricultural professionals across six hands-on sessions covering seed germination, composting, pest management, beekeeping, aquaponics, poultry and local cooking. Partners lending their expertise this year include Jessica Nangauta of University of Guam Triton Farm, David Crisotomo, a UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant aquaculture specialist, and Paul Packbier, founder of Island Honey Bee. Supporting organizations include the UOG Center for Island Sustainability, UOG Sea Grant, Guam Green Growth and ERC.

Registration and more information are available on Instagram at .gu, by email at [email protected] or by WhatsApp at 671-488-1685.

✏️ Walter Ulloa | The Guam Daily Post

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Fam Farms brings kids back to the land this summer For Daria Calvo, farming isn't just about growing food. It's about holding on to something her generation nearly lost.

A man was arrested after attempting to escape a residence by driving into four Guam Police Department patrol vehicles.

On Tuesday, Justin Nauta, 34, was the subject of a follow-up investigation by officers who were led to a Dededo home.

"When units arrived to the residence, Nauta attempted to drive a vehicle he was operating at a high rate of speed into four GPD-marked patrol vehicles. Officers in the vehicles all had to take evasive action to avoid getting hit," GPD stated in a press release issued Wednesday morning.

In response, GPD SWAT units were activated, and by the time they arrived, Nauta had left the scene and driven toward Chalan Dispaciu.

Upon inquiries from local media, GPD spokesperson Norman Analista shared the follow-up investigation was related to Nauta, a criminal mischief complaint at the Guam Congress Building in Hagåtña on June 8.

By Wednesday afternoon, Nauta had been charged in the Superior Court of Guam with five counts of assault on a peace officer as third-degree felonies and resisting arrest as a misdemeanor.

✏️ Shane Tenorio Healy | The Guam Daily Post

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SWAT stops fleeing suspect A man was arrested after attempting to escape a residence by driving into four Guam Police Department patrol vehicles.

Sen. Vincent Borja, head of the legislative committee on education, has called an oversight hearing for the Guam Department of Education on June 23.

The hearing will focus on the department's school closure plans, the status of any proposed consolidation or decommissioning efforts, the closure of J.P. Torres Success Academy, and GDOE's plan for reopening schools for school year 2026-2027.

The call for the hearing follows mounting concerns over how GDOE is proceeding with school closures as part of the second phase of its maximization and decommissioning effort.

Former Guam Education Board member Angel Sablan, who vacated his board chairpersonship to pursue a senatorial campaign this election, wrote to GDOE Superintendent Judith Won Pat on June 4 expressing grave concerns about media headlines involving the potential closure of six southern schools.

He contended that the process lacks the transparency and communication Won Pat promised when she took the superintendent job.

Borja echoed calls for transparency in a release on Wednesday about the coming oversight hearing, adding that the people of Guam deserved accountability and a clear plan for the island's public schools.

The senator is also requesting site visits to six schools before the oversight hearing: Marcial Sablan Elementary School, Harry S. Truman Elementary School, Merizo Martyrs Memorial Elementary School, Talofofo Elementary School, Inarjan Elementary School, and Manuel U. Lujan Elementary School.

✏️ John O'Connor | The Guam Daily Post
📷 Frank San Nicolas | The Guam Daily Post

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GDOE oversight hearing called Sen. Vincent Borja, head of the legislative committee on education, has called an oversight hearing for the Guam Department of Education on June 23.

A man shot by police remains hospitalized as his trial on charges related to dealing drugs and leading officers on a car chase is scheduled for July 8.

On Tuesday in the Superior Court of Guam, Judge Maria Cenzon called a pretrial conference for Heric Suda Andrew and Wayner George, two men charged just over a month ago with offenses related to a failed "drug deal collection" and subsequent chase with Guam Police Department officers after they noticed Andrew and George were operating a vehicle reported stolen. The chase ended when police officers shot at the vehicle in response to the vehicle backing into an officer and injuring the officer's leg.

Although called together, George was called first and represented by Vanessa Williams Cruz, who confirmed George has asserted his right to a speedy trial. As a result, Cenzon set the trial for both George and Andrew on July 8, with a pretrial conference scheduled for June 30.

Cruz, however, joined in a motion filed by Andrew's counsel, Heather Quitugua, to have separate trials, primarily on the grounds there was a conflict from Andrew deciding to waive speedy trial.

Although Quitugua's arguments in seeking a separate trial for Andrew are primarily to ensure he does not face any prejudice a joint trial could bring, Cenzon tentatively granted the motion on the grounds Quitugua can file under seal more details of Andrew's condition. Cenzon explained confirming whether Andrew could be present at his trial was the most important issue to address first before any arguments in the motion.

✏️ Shane Tenorio Healy | The Guam Daily Post
📷 David Castro | The Guam Daily Post

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July 8 trial set for suspects shot by police A man shot by police remains hospitalized as his trial on charges related to dealing drugs and leading officers on a car chase is scheduled for July 8.

David Lubofsky waited six years for the Guam Board of Medical Examiners to make a determination in a complaint over the 2018 death of his 5-year-old son, Asher, and though resolution has finally been reached, he says he only learned of the outcome by listening to a board meeting recording.

Lubofsky explained that resolution was reached in April but claimed the board "sent me nothing in writing. After the May meeting, I contacted them, and only then did they respond with an email."

The emailed notice dated May 27 is from GBME Chair Dr. Nathaniel Berg and served as "formal notification" that the investigation into the complaint filed against Dr. Dennis Sarmiento was "closed."

"Upon review of the evidence and documentation, the board has determined that there is a sufficient evidentiary and legal basis to warrant a finding that a violation of the Physicians Practice Act has occurred," Berg said in the notice to Lubofsky.

As part of the decision, the GBME took disciplinary action against Sarmiento, issuing a public letter of reprimand, ordering completion of a physician assessment program, and payment of investigative fees incurred by the board.

In the letter, Berg thanked Lubofsky for bringing the matter to the board's attention. However, Lubofsky expressed dismay, telling The Guam Daily Post, "I believe they hoped I would walk away."

✏️ Walter Ulloa | The Guam Daily Post

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Father dismayed with board’s 6-year decision in son’s death David Lubofsky waited six years for the Guam Board of Medical Examiners to make a determination in a complaint over the 2018 death of his 5-year-old son, Asher, and though

Less than a year after its historic activation, the 293rd Combat Communications "Gåmson" Squadron passed its first comprehensive readiness evaluation, clearing the way to take on real-world missions.

The Initial Operating Capability, or IOC, inspection at Andersen Air Force Base tested the squadron's ability to rapidly set up critical communications equipment in the field under conditions that mirrored an actual deployment. Evaluators from the National Guard Bureau and partner communications units graded the airmen on-site.

Maj. Audreya "Audi" Taitano, the 293rd's commander, explained what the milestone means for her unit in plain terms.

"IOC allows us to take mission now," she told The Guam Daily Post on Friday.

That means the squadron can join exercises such as Valiant Shield, a large-scale biennial Pacific exercise in which U.S. forces train alongside partner nations, with Guam and Hawaii serving as primary hubs. The unit can also deploy for combat operations or humanitarian missions. Before earning IOC status, airmen cycled through Air Force technical schools off-island and returned for on-the-job training. That phase is now complete.

For Guam, the stakes extend beyond military readiness. Typhoon Mawar exposed a critical gap. When the storm struck, the Guard lacked the local capability to establish expeditionary command and control and had to wait for units to fly in from off-island. The 293rd was built, in part, to close that gap.

✏️ Walter Ulloa | The Guam Daily Post

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Guam's newest military unit is no longer just training. It's ready for mission Less than a year after its historic activation, the 293rd Combat Communications "Gåmson" Squadron passed its first comprehensive readiness evaluation, clearing the way to take on real-world missions.

A committee vote in Washington last week quietly moved the United States closer to deploying nuclear reactors in the Western Pacific, and for many on Guam, the implications are deeply unsettling.

The House Armed Services Committee approved an amendment to the fiscal year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act that would establish a pilot program allowing the Department of Defense to evaluate and deploy small modular reactors within the Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility. Guam is not mentioned by name, but the amendment specifically prioritizes the Western Pacific, leaving little ambiguity about where planners are focused.

The Pacific Center for Island Security, a Guam-based think tank, sounded the alarm in a press release warning of a troubling trajectory for the island.

"The trendline for Guam is not good," said Underwood, PCIS chair. "There are many layers of concerns about placing nuclear reactors in areas where the military anticipates contested operations, and all of these apply to any plans to experiment, evaluate, or operate transportable nuclear reactors in Guam."

PCIS director Leland Bettis, in an interview Monday with The Guam Daily Post, noted that the legislation redefines what qualifies as a microreactor, expanding the term from its traditional range of one to five megawatts to anything under 50 megawatts. He said the old Piti power plant produced roughly 35 megawatts, making a reactor at the upper end of this new definition something far more consequential than the name implies.

A reactor dedicated solely to military use, he said, becomes an obvious target in any conflict. And if struck by a conventional weapon, the radiological damage would extend well beyond what previous modeling for smaller units envisioned.

✏️ Walter Ulloa | The Guam Daily Post
📷 Frank San Nicolas | The Guam Daily Post

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Congress’ nuclear reactor push alarms locals A committee vote in Washington last week quietly moved the United States closer to deploying nuclear reactors in the Western Pacific, and for many on Guam, the implications are deeply