A Forever Family (by Jayanna Pounds)

A Forever Family

Adopted students come from various backgrounds


By Jayanna Pounds 

 

            Switching between 12 different schools and at least 15 houses. Going back and forth from dad’s house to mom’s. It was a hard 16 years so far.

But finally a superhero named Ted came along.

Nash Pearson, a junior, was adopted about eight months ago by his youth pastor, Ted Polk, of Eaton First Church of God.

“The relationship between Ted and I was always really strong, but with him adopting me we have become closer and we know each other more,” Pearson said.

Before Ted adopted Nash, he was taking him to football practice, feeding him, and many other things. 

Ted found out what was going on with Nash when they were on a mission trip in Kenosha, Wis., for his youth group. Soon after that, Nash moved in.

           Several Delta students are adopted. These students come from a variety of backgrounds and circumstances.

            Across the world in the African nation of Uganda was Amelia Chester, a current freshman who was adopted just prior to her seventh birthday.

“Honestly I didn't really understand what was going on,” Amelia said.

Both of her biological parents are deceased. Her mom passed away after Amelia was born and her dad was a heavy drinker.

Amelia still has relatives in Uganda, but she gained a new family here in Indiana. Amelia has been with her adopted family for about nine years now.

Chester family
The Chester family members are all smiles!

In that family there are also three sisters, including Avery, who is also a freshman here at Delta but is not adopted.

Avery said that her favorite memories with Amelia occur when they go to dinners with Amelia's biological grandma.

Amelia also showed her family good food they made in Uganda. Coming from a whole different country to a new country that speaks a totally different language, of course, was challenging to adjust to at a young age.

“I had to learn the rules. English was really hard, but I learned it from watching shows that my sisters watched,” Amelia said.

Amelia said one advantage from coming from Uganda is, ”I get to tell cool stories.”

Besides the Chester siblings, there are the Arnold siblings. Sam, a junior, and Eli, a sophomore, were adopted at a very young age.
Arnold boys
Sam Arnold (left) and brother Eli Arnold get ready to hit the water.

Sam was adopted at two days old. He has met with his biological parents before.

Sam said one of his favorite memories with his biological family is when he was 8 years old his birth mom bought him a birthday present and all of his half sisters were there to sing him Happy Birthday.

Eli was adopted before he was even born. He was put into a family instantly. 

Eli has met his biological parents as well, and they would also go out to eat sometimes.

“I got put into a really good family,” Eli said. “I'm sure I wouldn't have some stuff I have now if I weren't adopted.”

Freshman Trey Gilbert was adopted when he was almost 4. Gilbert says he probably was adopted because he was in a bad situation.

He adjusted to his adopted family immediately. One reason that he adjusted quickly was because soon after his adoption he had a birthday party, which is his favorite memory. 

“I rarely talk to my mom,” Gilbert said, “and my dad on the other hand I haven't talked to him since I was adopted.”

Gilbert doesn’t have many memories with his biological parents besides the time he stepped on a Lego.

Being adopted hasn’t affected Trey’s day-to-day life.

“I'm still just a normal kid that does normal things,” he said.