Dodge City adds two to Ring of Honor

The Dodge City High School Alumni Association will be adding two former standout student/athletes to their Ring of Honor during a ceremony on Friday, September 13th.

Camilla Klein Haviland, Class of 1944, and Mike Montgomery, Class of 1967, will both be inducted during the Red Demon's football game at Memorial Stadium.

According to a release from the school, the inductees and families will be recognized at the high school’s pep assembly on Friday morning. Banners will be hung in the commons area of the high school along with the past 13 recipients.

Camilla Klein Haviland is a 1944 graduate of Dodge City Senior High School. Camilla was a

member of numerous clubs including the Student Council, Honor Society, Band, Baseball (playing first base), Pinfeathers Officer, and a National Thespian.

After graduating from Dodge City Senior High School, Mrs. Haviland attended Monticello Women’s Seminary in Illinois and Radcliffe College in Concord, Mass. She graduated with a Juris Doctor degree from Kansas University in 1955. She began her career as an attorney at law working for Calvert and White Law Firm and argued several cases before the Kansas Supreme Court before becoming the first female judge in Ford County [1957 - 1977] for probate, county and juvenile courts.

Camilla was a member of the University of Kansas School of Religion, Anthropology Department of Wichita State, the Kansas Bar and American Bar Associations. She received the Nathan Burkan Award ASCAP in 1955, a member of the Order of the Coif, as well as president of the Southwest Kansas Bar Association in 1968 and the Ford County Bar Association in 1980. She also took great pride in her membership in the Prairie Dunes Golf Association (Hutchinson, KS).

Mike Montgomery is a 1967 graduate of Dodge City Senior High School. Mike was the Student Council President, all-conference basketball, and all-state football player for the Red Demons. He was chosen as the Wichita Eagles most valuable running back in the state for the 1966 season in which Dodge City finished (9-0), and ranked #3 in the state. He was coached by the legendary JC Riekenberg. Upon graduation, Montgomery received a football scholarship to

Kansas State University where he started for three years under Coach Vince Gibson. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from KSU in 1973.

After completing his eligibility with the Wildcats, Montgomery was taken with the 65th choice in the NFL draft by the San Diego Chargers where he played for NFL Hall of Fame coach, Sid Gillman. The following season, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys where he played two seasons for another Hall of Fame coach, Tom Landry. He finished his NFL career with the Houston Oilers – retiring after a career ending knee injury. In January of 1971, Mike was proud to be appointed to the rank of Honorary Deputy Marshall of Dodge City.

After football, Mike spent time in the private sector as an investment advisor, and in the oil and gas business. He was President of the NFL Alumni Chapter for several years in early 1990's benefitting various children charities with the annual Cowboy Luncheon and Golf Tournament. Mike and his wife (Deborah) live in Dallas, as do their adult children – Ashley and Mic.

In Mike’s words – “Dodge City has a special place in my heart. Dodge was the springboard into my adult life. To my teammates, you were awesome and YOU are right here with me to receive this honor. Thank you to Coach Riekenberg and Coach Marsh, who we lost this year; our hearts are heavy, but the lessons you taught and we learned will never be forgotten. Thank you!”

The Dodge City High School Alumni Association was established in 2013 with the purpose to research and maintain a current database of all graduates; foster the school’s rich history, spirit and tradition for graduates and current student body; establish a recognition program to acknowledge accomplishments of members that have had a profound influence on society; and give assistance in funding academic programs, equipment or capital improvements for the school benefiting all students. By joining, you can search for other alumni, plan reunions, find reunion information and get in on the latest district information! Join today at www.dodgecityalumni.com!

Information for this story was provided by the Dodge City High School Alumni Association through a press release from Dodge City High School.