Michelle Hicks Peterson

After graduating from Kinsley High School class of 1988, I moved to Dodge City, KS. I went to Dodge City Community College for 3 semesters and was not motivated to continue. My son, Chris, was born in October 1990. I moved back to Kinsley for about 1 ½ years and worked as a CNA while attending night classes. I was accepted into the nursing program at DCCC in the fall of 1993 and moved back to Dodge City. In July 1995 I married my husband Brian. In May of 1996 I earned my Associates Degree in Nursing. I began my nursing career as a home health nurse, then a school nurse and finally a public health nurse for KDH&E. In September 2000 our daughter, Shelby, was born and I became a stay at home mother. In 2001 I began working part time as a self employed contract worker providing services for the 16th Judicial District Juvenile Services. In 2003 my husband adopted my son. In December 2006 my family and I moved to La Junta, CO. We were looking to be closer to Brian’s daughter, Allison. In April of 2007, Brian witnessed a murder in New Mexico. Needless to say this changed our whole word. We moved back to Dodge City in July of 2007. I am now back with the 16th JDJS trying to change our community one child at a time. Brian was an over the road truck driver for about 10 years. He is now the route manager for Northend Disposal. Chris graduated from Dodge City High School and attended college at Dodge City Community College and Pittsburg State University. Allison has lived with us on and off. She is currently living in Colorado with her 3 year old daughter, Amethyst. Shelby is in the 7th grade and is active in Drill Team.

Best Time: after school at Lance Stegmans house and the Offerle cafe before Junior High games.

Best Memory: taking the outhouse and putting it on the High School lawn.

"Those truly linked don't need correspondence. When they meet again after many years apart, Their friendship is as true as ever." Deng Ming-Dao