Grammy award winner, singer, musician and songwriter, Melissa Etheridge, was born in Leavenworth 29 May, 1961.  She attended David Brewer School which is still located at 17th and Osage Streets.  She graduated in 1979 from Leavenworth High School (LHS), 10th Avenue and Halderman.  Melissa was a member of the first "Power and Life" musical/dance group at LHS which is still active today.

Melissa's childhood home was at 1902 Miami Street.  Melissa's father, John, was a teacher, counselor and athletic director at LHS.  In 1992 Melissa established a performing arts scholarship at LHS in honor of her father.  Melissa said her father used to "spend his weekends driving me to Kansas City and all points around there so I could play in bands.  I was underage so I couldn't have gone without him."

In a visit to Leavenworth in November 1994, she performed a benefit concert for a new park to be built near the high school.  A ball field at the park will be named after her father.  While she was here, she also donated money to help refurbish the Performing Arts Center in Leavenworth at 401 Delaware.   This theater was the former Hollywood movie theater where Melissa used to go to see movies.   The preserved 1938 Art Deco theater now hosts live performances by Leavenworth's River City Community Players. 

Melissa is very proud of her hometown and has many friends in the area which she periodically comes back to visit.  Melissa's newest CD, "Breakdown", features a picture of the trophy she won in an Amateur Talent Show at the Leavenworth Plaza on the backside.