Alumni Spotlight - Jadalynn Cirillo

In my 10th year as Sports Information Director at MNU, I have a short list of my favorite players to watch. Jadalynn Cirillo is on that list. I first noticed the infielder from Phoenix in 2012 as she was essentially tackling a baserunner caught in a rundown. When it happened again I figured it was just odd luck. When it happened a third time, I realized I was watching someone who played the game a little differently.
 
She didn't crush homers or hit .400 - in her best season she hit .298 and earned 2nd team All-Conference - but she was impossible to miss. Whether diving for rockets at the hot corner, smirking at the opposing pitcher, screaming "NO!" at the umpire while taking a close pitch, and yes, even ramming her glove into unsuspecting baserunners, she played with a joy and a ferocity I've never seen. When I heard that, at 25 years old, she'd adopted an unrelated 10-year-old boy, I wasn't surprised. It takes someone who plays the game a little differently to do that.
 
My wife and I are adoptive parents, so I understand how difficult this life can be, and we have plenty of support. I had to find out how she did it by herself.
 
Sports Information Director: What have you been doing since graduating from MNU?
 
Jadalynn Cirillo: I worked at Blue Mountain Developmental Programs for adults with disabilities, the Peoria Accelerated High School, and then I swore into the Navy.
 
SID: You're a young single woman with complete freedom; why did you adopt a child?
 
JC: I believe a life worth living is when you have the ability to help someone out that truly wants it and needs it. The stereotypical party life of someone my age and situation is an empty one.
 
SID: You were a fighter as a player. How has that spirit helped you?
 
JC: I've always been a fighter; not just as a player. I don't give up on anything and I don't fear much. I've gone through tough times but it just makes me stronger.
 
SID: Tell me about your childhood.
 
JC: I have 5 adopted siblings, a foster sister, and 3 foster brothers. My parents started fostering when I was 15 years old. Some came and went but of the kids that moved in were adopted; 5 in all. It taught me that family can come from anywhere; it doesn't have to be just blood. It also taught me how to share. It was definitely a hectic but positive experience. And without that foundation I doubt I ever would have taken this step.
 
SID: What can you tell me about your son's story?
 
JC: Thomas was taken away by Child Protective Services because his mom took him to a drug house. After that he lived with his dad until his dad went to prison for theft. He then was placed in several relatives homes, group homes, and foster homes. He was with a couple before he moved in with me that adopted his brother but said that he was too much work. He then moved in with me on November 24, 2014.
 
 
SID: How long was he in your care before the adoption?
 
JC: He was in my care just shy of a year before his official adoption day.
 
SID: Was it the plan all along to adopt? Will you foster more? Adopt more?
 
JC: It was not my plan at that time to adopt; it was God's plan. It's funny how some things work out. At this point I don't plan on adopting more right now but maybe in the future.


SID: In the future, what do you expect from a boyfriend/spouse?

JC: I would expect him to accept Thomas for who he is, and that he would be someone who would help us all grow to become better people and followers of Christ.

SID: In the future, what do you expect from a boyfriend/spouse?
 
JC: I would expect him to accept Thomas for who he is, and that he would be someone who would help us all grow to become better people and followers of Christ.
 
SID: How did you decide to take the giant leap of faith?
 
JC: I put myself in Thomas's shoes. Here is an amazing kid that has done nothing wrong in life, that wants nothing more than to be loved and accepted but has been dealt a hard hand. Whether I was ready or not, he was not ready to be taken from his family, he wasn't ready to go to a new school every couple of months, and he wasn't ready to have everything he has ever known just taken.
 
SID: Do you struggle to have others understand? I'm guessing most of your son's friends' parents are much, much older and most of your friends either aren't parents or have little babies.
 
JC: I have my best friends that understand. I have lost a lot of friends through this because they don't understand how much effort and time goes into raising a kid. The people that are meant to be and stay in your life will be there in the end.
 
SID: What advice would you have for others? Not necessarily about adoption, but your story of making an unusual step for God (and a little boy) can translate to others.
 
JC: We are all called to do things that might make us step out of our comfort zone; and we should do it. God pushes us in ways that we never thought possible, but if we just take that leap of faith we will not only grow as people, but grow as children of God.
 
SID: What has the foster/adoption process taught you?
 
JC: I've learned patience mainly. Patience with the process because it can be lengthy, time consuming, and frustrating. You just have to take one day at a time.

SID: What has your son taught you?
 
JC: Thomas has taught me how to live a selfless life. He has taught me what love really is. And mostly how to be a better person and how to take care of someone besides myself.