​November is Adoption Awareness Month, a time to celebrate those who have found families and bring awareness to those who are still looking. Here at WHS, students kick off the month by sharing their own stories.

I always felt awkward looking at family pictures and seeing the solitary Asian boy sticking out. There have been multiple ups and downs, but overall… I [have] realized that there is no clear-cut definition for something as complex as family.

Chloe Monaco ‘15: When I was younger [my biological parents] would write to me and send me pictures and I would reply to them with the help of my mom. Years later… I became really curious and made a Facebook account mainly to friend them and talk to them without my mom’s help…. I found my birth dad’s son and we chatted back and forth.

I’ve been in contact with my birth family for about four years now and hope to fly out and meet them someday…. Talking to my birth parents definitely made me mature faster and made me realize that I am so fortunate to be living the life I am in Westfield.

Amanda Womelsdorf ‘14: I am very lucky to be where I am in life right now and I know I could be somewhere a lot less fortunate if I wasn’t adopted. My adoption has only made me a happier and better person. I embrace the fact that I am adopted and I am not ashamed to talk about it. I think it’s amazing… [it has shaped] who I am today.

​Up to this point in my life, I have not tried to contact my biological parents. [My biological mother] is living somewhere in Guatemala right now, but once I turn 18, it is my goal to find her and hopefully meet her one day.