Adoption is a beautiful thing, and it is around us in our everyday lives. Many of our seniors here at St. Dominic are adopted, and learning about their stories gives us an insight into what it is like.

Senior Jonathon Gil was adopted from the city of Chicago at birth. Throughout the years, Gil has dived deeper into his family background and discovered some of his half brothers, which he contacts every now and then. One is 20, and the other is 27.

“Adoption has not changed my life in a major way. It is all I ever grew up knowing and accepting, and I have to live my life to the fullest,” Gil said.

Another student who was adopted straight from birth is senior Kate Ryan. Ryan was pleased to tell us about the dedication her adoptive parents show, and how they’ve been there for her every step of the way.

“I was adopted from here in St. Louis, down at St. Luke’s hospital. I was adopted the day of my birth, and my parents had already filled out most of the paperwork before I was even born. They were in the hospital the moment I arrived,” Ryan said.

Talking about being adopted can always be a tough subject to touch upon, especially depending on the background. Ryan was comfortable with opening up about her story, and showed that adoption can help not only the child, but the mother too.

“I don’t know much about my biological family. My birth mom was 16 years old when she had me, and the father was never in the picture. I know that she realized she was not fit to be a mother yet, and she couldn’t provide me with what I needed to have a good life. I’ve never met her or any of her family, but I hope to in the future if the time is right,” Ryan said.

At only 15 months old and coming from Ukraine, senior Elli Hagan was adopted into her new family. She has some beautiful insight on how adoption has changed her life, and how being adopted has shaped her views.

“Being adopted has changed my life, because I know I’m in a family that loves me and that supports me no matter what. Sometimes I wonder what my life would be like if I was with a different family, but at the same time I know this is exactly God’s plan for me,” Hagan said.

One of the most beautiful things about her story is how Hagan is part of a family with a sibling who is also adopted—and a member of the St. Dominic community. Father Patrick Russell is her brother, and they’ve been close ever since they met.

“Having a brother that is also adopted is absolutely the coolest thing in the world, because I think it gives us something to relate to and it really bonds us together. Even though there is such an age difference, we still have the best relationship, and he’s my absolute best friend. I just wouldn’t really want it any other way,” Hagan said.

Senior Andie Smith has quite a different story from the rest. Smith was put in an orphanage at the age of five, because her mother lost her rights to her and was no longer allowed to take care of Smith or provide her with the future she deserves.

“At age ten, I was adopted from the Philippines. Being adopted changed me to become a better person today, by being thankful for everything God gave me,” Smith said.

Adoption is one of the most selfless choices someone can make. By taking a child into their own family, knowing that they deserve to be loved and given a proper life, a special bond is created that cannot be broken.