Classmates Come Watch Their Friend Get Formally Adopted on First Day of School

When 10-year-old Abby Novotny found out her formal adoption day fell on the first day of school, she found herself in a bit of a conflict.

Novotny was thrilled about her formal adoption day, but was also super excited to return to St. Colletta Day School, her school that also serves children with special needs, and didn’t want to miss the first day back.

Her classmates saw how important both of these events were to the 10-year-old and decided to make her decision very simple by joining her at the courthouse.

“Many hadn’t seen her until our last day on June 10 so they were very excited,” St. Coletta administrator Bill Kuehn shared with Today. “There were hugs and high fives. It was a little difficult for Abby to focus with all the attention, but she certainly had every understanding that this day was all about her.”

Novotny is the ninth child of Anne Novotny. Anne Novotny is a social worker in Milwaukee and a mother to eight adopted children. Novotny has been living with Anne Novotny for the past three years as a foster child.

“It doesn’t get old,” Anne Novotny explained. “Abby is my eighth adoption, and I can honestly say that each one is unique and wonderful every time. It rises to the level of giving birth to your own child.”

The day was a bit overwhelming for Novotny who hadn’t seen her classmates since the last day of school the previous year. Novotny attends the special needs school with three of her now-adopted siblings.

“When I told her they were going to be at the adoption, she was so happy she almost cried,” Anne Novotny said. “For a 10-year-old who’s lower functioning to know the importance of it — I saw nothing but pure joy for her.”

Novotny even made sure to remind her teacher that her name needs to be updated in the classroom.

“At the end of the court hearing she said to her teacher, ‘Did you put “Abby Novotny” on my desk yet?’ She is so thrilled to be Abby Novotny officially,” Anne Novotny shared.

(H/T Today)