Adam Zrust has never met his biological parents, and it doesn’t bother him.
After being adopted from the Nebraska Children’s Home Society by Lonnie and Ruth Zrust in Albion, Neb., Mr. Zrust constantly reminds himself about his past, has always been open about it, and often wonders where he acquired his musical talents.
“I’ve always known I was adopted,” Mr. Zrust said. “It was never really talked about, but I’ve always just kind of had a peace and an understanding that I’m better off in this situation.”
Other students, such as junior Madeline Powell, understand what it’s like to be on the other side of the adoption. In the early stages of adopting from Moscow, Powell’s stepmother Anne Powell and father Craig Powell were left heartbroken by a ban on US adoption set by Russian officials. The Dima Yakovlev Law has left thousands of children in the crossfire of a conflict they have nothing to do with, and many American adults planning to adopt in shock.
“After she [Powell’s stepmother] found out about the ban, she was so heartbroken,” Powell said. “She became really emotionally attached. She doesn’t even talk about them. She tries to act like it didn’t even happen, but she’s still really hurt.”
Every year, 120,000 children are adopted from the United States. The majority of children who are waiting in foster care for adoption (42 percent) were removed from their parents before the age of two (Facts about Adoption). Twelve percent of children who are ready and waiting for an opportunity to become adopted are above the age of 15.
At the age of four, Tony Nganga-Perry was placed in his first foster home because his father was not involved and his mother’s rights were terminated. A couple of months later, the foster mother died and Nganga-Perry returned to living the lifestyle of an orphan. He adjusted to independency and only relying on himself as he transferred homes throughout the course of twelve years.
“I once had a case worker tell me to always look on the upside of every day,” Nganga-Perry said. “There’s some kids that die or have a bad foster home or bad parents. I took that as my motto.”
During Nganga-Perry’s sophomore year, he became close friends with now-senior Kyle Perry in Algebra and the brotherhood began. Nganga-Perry received a random text message one night from Perry jokingly asking Nganga-Perry how he felt about becoming a part of the Perry family. Perry’s parents, who had never considered adoption, thought it over and agreed to the adoption process. Within a short period of time, Tony officially became part of the family.
“Tony and I are still close,” Perry said. “It’s just a typical brotherly love.”
There is an estimated 153 million orphans around the globe (CCAI). Approximately five million Americans have been adopted and out of all children under the age of 18, 2.5 percent have been adopted (Adoption Statistics). In 2011, Texas had a total of 570 adoptions, the majority female (324) and 1-2 years.
Zrust has always felt comfortable with his history and has always been open about it.
“I feel blessed,” Zrust said. “I have very loving parents still to this day who are together through 45 years of marriage.”
