Monica (Heckert) Miller, born August 14, 1971, is a SHS graduate of the class of 1989. While attending Sterling High School, she was a standout on the swim team and also ran four years of track. Monica, as other female swimmers before her, had to swim on the boys team, because there was no girls swim team. Therefore, it was difficult for her to train and prepare for the sectional meet, because she was not allowed to compete prior to sectionals. She became the second swimmer and the first female at SHS to advance to the state meet in two events in one season. She also was the only swimmer from SHS to achieve a state qualifying time. Monica was a four-year Most Valuable Swimmer and three time sectional champion. She was ranked in the Illinois Top Ten for three years in six different events and held six team and individual records. The records she set were in the 200-individual medley, 500-freestyle, 100-fly, 100-back, 200-freestyle, and 400-freestyle relay. At the state level she had five first place finishes, one meet record, and three second place finishes, and eight third place finishes. In addition, she was a National Zone Competition qualifier for three years and served as the captain of the team her senior year. In track, Monica was NCIC All-Academic for four years and received the Roscoe Eades Award at the conclusion of her high school athletic career. She was also very active in extra circular activities at the school. Upon graduation, she attended the University of Illinois. Monica was selected for the swim team, as a walk on her freshman year. After suffering a shoulder injury, she switched from the swim team to the water polo. In both water polo and swimming, Monica made the All-Big Ten teams. Receiving her collegiate commencement in 1994, she was self-employed as a computer consultant. She and her husband Mike have two children and reside in Nashua, New Hampshire.