Today's Featured Biography

 
Kyle Phillips

Since RSHS I have lived in Brazil (89) for a year as an AFS student. When I came back I went to CMSU and graduated in 94 with a degree in Photography and Graphic Arts. After graduation I did what every college graduate should do, I moved in with my parents and started waiting tables! I eventually moved down to the Plaza and worked at Figlio's Restaurant and Jules Seafood.

My oldest sister, Valerie, passed away in 95 and it seemed everything after that was different. I left the restaurant business and got a job at a portrait studio in Blue Springs. Finally doing something with my degree! It was going great until I had an itch to move...to Chicago. I broke my lease, sold my car, packed my stuff and left a month after I decided. I spent a year and 3 months in Chicago and had a blast! Except for those BRUTAL winters! After a while I missed being around my family and friends and decided to move back to Raytown in 98. I went back to work at the portrait studio and in 99 bought a house in Raytown. Soon after I decided I would go into the photo business for myself and quit the studio and went back to working nights at Figlio's. Well being in the restaurant business brings about alot of going out and partying so I re-lived being 21 again at 30! After 9-11 it seemed everything started going down hill. I left Figlio's because there wasn't much money to be made, went back to the studio again and got laid off after a couple of months and went to work delivery driving until I got laid off after 9 months.

After all that I re-evaluated what I wanted in life. In 2003, I found a job at the Raytown Chamber and completed training to become a foster parent. A month after starting my new job, I got my first foster placement! Alfredo was 3 years old and he lived with me for a year until he was re-united with his biological father. It was difficult having him leave and I wasn't sure if I could do it and was going to take some time to be sure. Well... a month later I got a call to pick up a 3 day old baby boy that had been abandoned at the hospital. I said yes and it's been the best thing that has happened to me! As soon as Joshua was declared officially abandoned, I filed the papers to adopt him. The final adoption hearing was April 1, 2005 when Joshua was 11 months old. It's amazing to be able to call him my son and he brings me happiness I didn't know was possible!

Joshua just turned 3 and is keeping me VERY busy! I've been at the Raytown Chamber for almost 5 years and love being involved in the community I grew up in. There's alot of great memories here and there's some very exciting things happening for Raytown's future. If anyone is by the Chamber office at 59th & Raytown Trafficway, stop in and say hello! It will be great to see the Class of 88 next year for our reunion! I can't believe it's been 20 years already! It's seems like yesterday and at the same time, forever!

Peace,
Kyle

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