By: Michelle Queen

Michelle West

Juanita Michelle West

I was born on August 9, 1988 in Ashland, Kentucky.

I grew up in Westwood until I was 12. Then I moved to Boyd County.

I was raised with my mother and step-dad. I never really knew my real dad until I was 14. My mom and step-dad did a good job raising me. I was brought up with good morals and in a good home. I lived in the same home for 8 years of my life. But after my mom and step-dad got divorced I moved a lot. In the end I ended up moving in with my older sister.

Growing up I loved to cheer. I was a cheerleader for the Westwood Boys Club and for my elementary school.

I also loved to compete in pageants. From the time I was 5 until I was 12 I competed in over 35 pageants and I won 34 of them. I always loved to get all dolled up for my pageants.

An influence in my life…At this time in my life, when I was a child, I would have to say my step dad was my biggest influence. He was the one person that made the biggest impact on my life. He always knew how to make me a happy kid. He was my hero as a child.

After my mom and step-dad got divorced I moved a lot until I was 14. When I was 14 I moved in with my older sister Jessica. She had just had a baby named Laken. Laken and I became really close when I was a teeneager.

Laken Brooke Moore

Laken was born on September 10, 2002. She made a great impact on my life as well as others. She was the one that put a smile on face everyday. Laken is 7 years old now. She has been through a lot in her short life. She is a strong person with a good heart and I love her so much. She means the world to me. =)

Laken Brooke

My sister.

On October 21, 2006 I lost my sister in a tragic car accident. She was on her way home on a foggy morning and she went into the other lane. She hit a truck head on and she died on impact. My sister made a great impression on my life. She was the one person that I could tell anything to and I knew that it was between us. My sister and I weren’t really raised together. We never had that “sisterly bond” until I moved in with her. She was my sister, and my best friend. I love her and she is forever missed.

While in high school, I was always the girl saying it’ll never happen to me, I done want a baby right now/ Well one month into my senior year I found out I was 17 and expecting!!!

One month after I graduated high school, On June 16, 2006 I had my first beautiful baby girl. I named her Baylie Shae. Baylie weighed 7pounds 11ounces. She is now 3 and a half. I wouldn’t trade her for anything.

Baylie Shae

After having Baylie, I went through a rough time in my life. After finding out Baylies dad had cheated on me I decided I needed to live a better life for me and my daughter. I left him and It was just Baylie and I.

A few months after being on my own I met up with an old boyfriend from high school, his name was Dustin Queen. Dustin and I had known each other for quite sometime. We were together for 5 months and I found out I was expecting again!

On May 6, 2008 I had my second little girl, Alyssa Michelle. She weighed 6pounds even. Alyssa is now 18 months old. She is the best baby a mother could ask for.

Alyssa Michelle

On August 8, 2008 Dustin and I decided we wanted to get married. So we did. We went to the courthouse and got married.

Dustin and I were like two peas in a pod. We were inseparable. We did everything together and told each other everything. We were the best of friends.

Time changes everything so people say. Well we are a perfect example of that. On August 28, 2009 we filed for divorce. Although it wasn’t expected, its what’s best for me and my daughters. I don’t regret anything that ever happened I just live and learn.

Now I am a 21 year old single mother of two amazing little girls. I work full time at McDonalds and I go to school. I have managed to raise my daughters on my own for almost a year now and honestly that’s all I am focused on.

My goals

For now I am going to college and I have no idea yet what I am going to major in. I know that I have a couple years to become something and then I plan to buy a new car and a new home for me and my daughters.

The End