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The simple fact is that the concept of progress has taken hold of his life and is moving him in the right direction.
Miller has a goal to become a high school history teacher in the near future.
Don't be surprised if that objective is achieved in a relatively quick fashion.
Miller's dream has come a long way since graduating from Ottumwa High School in 2002. If you asked the current Indian Hills Community College student - who will graduate this spring - whether that goal was possible a few years back, he'd give you an honest assessment of where his mindset resided.
"Two years ago there was no way I thought I was going to get a four-year degree. I didn't think I was smart enough and I was really down on myself," said Miller, who will become the first person in his family to achieve a four-year degree, should he accomplish that goal.
Drive and determination set Miller down a path that should alter the lives of countless young people - for the better.
"I set these goals and I saw that I could do it and I can do it. A four-year degree is great. I'm looking at getting a master's degree," said Miller, who is a secondary education major who plans on transferring to the University of Iowa.
Miller's draw to become an influential part of the lives of young adults can in large part be traced to some of the obstacles he's had to climb over early in his life.
The Ottumwa native was born to parents who were in their mid-teens - a stark disadvantage that often results in no high school diploma, let alone pursuing a college education.
"It was tough growing up with such young parents. Obviously they were kids, too," he said.
Perseverance was a key to Miller's recent success.
"In progression, there are always brick walls that you're going to be hit with. You either have to decide to climb that wall or let it stop you," Miller added.
The chance to become an educator will give Miller the opportunity to let kids know some of the pitfalls which can thwart anyone into becoming a productive member of society.
"I just want to be able to be there to take that kid off to the side who I see going down the wrong way and tell him my story. Maybe that will give them a positive outlook on life to strive to do better things," said Miller.
Miller has not done it alone. He's had help and support from his fiancée, Sara Gerot. Several other individuals have also made an impact on Miller, showing him doors that lead to exciting possibilities.
"You can do this, but it does take help along the way. [Former Indian Hills Foundation Executive Director] Tom Stewart has helped me out a lot. The Student Support Services helped me out. Kent Christensen has helped me out," said Miller.
"Tom called me into his office and basically set me on a path for a four-year degree. He didn't let go of me," said Miller.
Miller works full-time at the Hotel Ottumwa, an employer he is thankful for having.
"I'm glad I work at the hotel. If it wasn't for them being my employer, I wouldn't be able to do half the things I do," said Miller. "My schedule changes all the time with school and they're there to work right around it."
Miller knows there are adults, teenagers and kids who aren't achieving the results in life that they want or aspire to. It's those people that the Ottumwan would love to talk to.
"A lot of people think they can't do that or can't achieve this because no one else in their family has," he said. "I want to take these people and say 'you can do this'."
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