---
title: Val - Bright Futures 2019
description: Val, a Gladney Adoptee is graduating in 2019. Read his adoption story.
image: https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/hubfs/Bright%20Futures/Matteson%20Val%20Graduate.jpg
---

[![Gladney Center for Adoption](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/hubfs/Adoptionsbygladney_November2017/Images/gladney-logo.svg "Gladney Center for Adoption")](http://adoptionsbygladney.com)

- [I'm Pregnant](https://gladneyadoption.com)
- [I Want To Adopt](https://adoptionsbygladney.com/i-want-to-adopt)
- [Post Adoption Support](https://adoptionsbygladney.com/post-adoption-support)
- [About](https://adoptionsbygladney.com/about)
- [Resources](https://adoptionsbygladney.com/resources)
- [Contact](https://adoptionsbygladney.com/contact)

- [I'm Pregnant](https://gladneyadoption.com)
- [I Want To Adopt](https://adoptionsbygladney.com/i-want-to-adopt)
- [Post Adoption Support](https://adoptionsbygladney.com/post-adoption-support)
- [About](https://adoptionsbygladney.com/about)
- [Resources](https://adoptionsbygladney.com/resources)
- [Contact](https://adoptionsbygladney.com/contact)

# Gladney Blog

# Val - Bright Futures 2019

Posted by [Gladney Center for Adoption](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/author/gladney-center-for-adoption) on 5/17/19, 2:21 PM

![](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/hubfs/Gladney-Logo_MarkOnly-bio%20photo.png)

Find me on:

[Facebook](http://facebook.com/gladneycenter) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/gladney-center-for-adoption/) [Twitter](http://twitter.com/gladney_center)

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

### Val

![Val - Gladney Bright Futures](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Bright%20Futures/Val%20Graduate.jpg?width=600&name=Val%20Graduate.jpg)PARENT QUOTE

When we met Val, he was a four-year old little boy; small for his age, with vision and hearing problems. He spoke no English and was afraid of his own shadow. But what we remember most is that he called us Mama and Papa that very first day and captured our hearts with his soulful eyes and gentle demeanor. We wanted so much for him then and only dreamed of this moment in our lives, looking back on his accomplishments and so many memories and looking forward with hope for his future.

FROM THE GRADUATE

![Val - Gladney Bright Futures](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Bright%20Futures/Val%20Baby.jpg?width=300&name=Val%20Baby.jpg)

I feel grateful and happy for my life and family. I don't remember much about the first four years of my life in Russia, but as I've grown up, I've become more interested in my birth country. I hope to return there one day to explore my heritage. It's a big part of my identity.

ABOUT VAL

Val attended Shelton School in Dallas. As a member of the National Honor Society and an honor student lettering in football and track, he is both an accomplished student and athlete. Val will attend Southwestern University, as a pre-med student, and has committed to throw discus for the track and field team.

***Write a comment below congratulating Val on his accomplishments and encouraging him in his future!***

 [![View Other Gladney Graduates in the Bright Futures Publication](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4002831/108aef49-5083-42e0-aeb2-abf54fccfc8e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4002831/108aef49-5083-42e0-aeb2-abf54fccfc8e)

 Topics: [Adoption Stories](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/adoption-stories), [Gladney Adoptee](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-adoptee), [Bright Futures Publication](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/bright-futures-publication), [Gladney Graduate](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-graduate)

Adoption Programs:

- [Domestic Infant Adoption](http://adoptionsbygladney.com/i-want-to-adopt/domestic-infant)
- [Foster Adoption (New Beginnings Program)](http://adoptionsbygladney.com/i-want-to-adopt/foster-adoption)
- [International Adoption](http://adoptionsbygladney.com/i-want-to-adopt/international)

### Subscribe to Email Updates

### Recent Posts

### Posts by Topic

- [Superkids (824)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/superkids)
- [Taiwan Adoption (347)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/taiwan-adoption)
- [Waiting Child (340)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/waiting-child)
- [China Adoption (226)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/china-adoption)
- [Waiting Children (225)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/waiting-children)
- [Uncategorized (224)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/uncategorized)
- [Adoption Stories (211)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/adoption-stories)
- [Gladney Adoptee (182)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-adoptee)
- [Bright Futures Publication (177)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/bright-futures-publication)
- [Gladney Graduate (176)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-graduate)
- [China (142)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/china)
- [Taiwan (120)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/taiwan)
- [International Adoption (85)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/international-adoption)
- [Intercountry Adoption (36)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/intercountry-adoption)
- [Support (28)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/support)
- [Gladney Leadership (27)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-leadership)
- [Advocacy (23)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/advocacy)
- [Adoption (22)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/adoption)
- [Gladney University (22)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-university)
- [Adoption Finance (20)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/adoption-finance)
- [Gladney Intern Blog (20)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-intern-blog)
- [A Day in the Life of a Gladney Intern (17)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-gladney-intern)
- ["Ambassadors of Love" (16)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/ambassadors-of-love)
- [reFRAMED Podcast (16)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/reframed-podcast)
- [China & Taiwan Newsletter (15)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/china-taiwan-newsletter)
- [Insider (15)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/insider)
- [Domestic Infant (14)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/domestic-infant)
- [Counseling Services (13)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/counseling-services)
- [Development (13)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/development)
- [Foster Adoption (13)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/foster-adoption)
- [Gladney Culture & History (13)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-culture-history)
- [Legislative (13)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/legislative)
- [New York Marathon (13)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/new-york-marathon)
- [Suggested Reading (13)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/suggested-reading)
- [130th Anniversary (12)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/130th-anniversary)
- [Adoption Advice (12)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/adoption-advice)
- [Colombia Adoption (12)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/colombia-adoption)
- [DS Grant (12)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/ds-grant)
- [Foster Care System (11)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/foster-care-system)
- [Testimonials (11)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/testimonials)
- [Education (10)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/education)
- [Gladney Home (10)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-home)
- [New Beginnings (10)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/new-beginnings)
- [Advocacy Camp (9)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/advocacy-camp)
- [Featured (9)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/featured)
- [Gladney Event (9)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-event)
- [Mindful Parenting (9)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/mindful-parenting)
- [National Adoption Month (9)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/national-adoption-month)
- [Special Needs (9)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/special-needs)
- [Texas Foster Children (9)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/texas-foster-children)
- [Volunteer Opportunity (9)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/volunteer-opportunity)
- [matched (9)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/matched)
- [AdoptED (7)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/adopted)
- [Post Adoption Support (7)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/post-adoption-support)
- [Social Distancing (7)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/social-distancing)
- [Adoption Advocate (6)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/adoption-advocate)
- [Community Partner (6)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/community-partner)
- [Community Support (6)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/community-support)
- [Down Syndrome (6)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/down-syndrome)
- [Hosting International Children (6)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/hosting-international-children)
- [#iamgladney (5)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/iamgladney)
- [Gladney Birth Parent (5)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-birth-parent)
- [Gladney Family Association (5)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-family-association)
- [Holiday (5)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/holiday)
- [Siblings (5)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/siblings)
- [Transracial Adoption (5)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/transracial-adoption)
- [Unplanned Pregnancy (5)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/unplanned-pregnancy)
- [family story (5)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/family-story)
- [#wearegladney (4)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/wearegladney)
- [Adoption Education Program (4)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/adoption-education-program)
- [Clinical Support (4)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/clinical-support)
- [FSL Project (4)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/fsl-project)
- [Older Child Adoption (4)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/older-child-adoption)
- [Post Adoption (4)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/post-adoption)
- [Press Release (4)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/press-release)
- [#NAM2017 (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/nam2017)
- [#NationAdoptionMonth (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/nationadoptionmonth)
- [#allIwantforChristmas (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/alliwantforchristmas)
- [Adult Adoptee (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/adult-adoptee)
- [Annual Report (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/annual-report)
- [Birthday Pledge (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/birthday-pledge)
- [Brain Development (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/brain-development)
- [Edna Gladney (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/edna-gladney)
- [Faces of Gladney (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/faces-of-gladney)
- [Gladney Friend (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-friend)
- [Grief & Loss (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/grief-loss)
- [Holiday Card (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/holiday-card)
- [Mark Melson (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/mark-melson)
- [Parenting (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/parenting)
- [Team Gladney (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/team-gladney)
- [Tips (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/tips)
- [Tools & Resources (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/tools-resources)
- [Trauma (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/trauma)
- [Wordless Wednesday (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/wordless-wednesday)
- [#makingadifferencetogether (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/makingadifferencetogether)
- [Adoption Finalization (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/adoption-finalization)
- [Adoption Fundraiser (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/adoption-fundraiser)
- [Adoption Services (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/adoption-services)
- [Artwork Contest (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/artwork-contest)
- [Attachment (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/attachment)
- [Camp Forge (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/camp-forge)
- [Child Abuse Prevention (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/child-abuse-prevention)
- [Culture & History (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/culture-history)
- [Diversity Resources (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/diversity-resources)
- [Ecuador Adoption (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/ecuador-adoption)
- [FAQ (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/faq)
- [Hong Kong Adoption (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/hong-kong-adoption)
- [Hosting Program (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/hosting-program)
- [Lunar New Year (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/lunar-new-year)
- [Open Adoption (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/open-adoption)
- [Pathways Training (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/pathways-training)
- [Success Stories (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/success-stories)
- [Travel to China (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/travel-to-china)
- [picture post (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/picture-post)
- [#DSAM2017 (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/dsam2017)
- [#SKTaiwanNov17 (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/sktaiwannov17)
- [Adoptee (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/adoptee)
- [Adoption Agency Reviews (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/adoption-agency-reviews)
- [Adoption Education (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/adoption-education)
- [Adoptive Parent (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/adoptive-parent)
- [Aging Out (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/aging-out)
- [Ask A Pro (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/ask-a-pro)
- [Birth Mother (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/birth-mother)
- [Birth Mother Support (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/birth-mother-support)
- [Birth Mother's Day (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/birth-mothers-day)
- [Coloring Sheets (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/coloring-sheets)
- [Dominican Republic Adoption (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/dominican-republic-adoption)
- [Donations (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/donations)
- [Expectant Parent (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/expectant-parent)
- [FSL Grant (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/fsl-grant)
- [Father's Day (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/fathers-day)
- [Gladney Adoption Day (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-adoption-day)
- [Gladney Adoptive Parent (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-adoptive-parent)
- [Gladney Campus (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-campus)
- [Gladney Family Mentorship (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-family-mentorship)
- [Gladney Impact (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-impact)
- [Gladney Night At Six Flags (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-night-at-six-flags)
- [Humanitarian Aid (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/humanitarian-aid)
- [Mother's Day (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/mothers-day)
- [NB Info Sessions (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/nb-info-sessions)
- [Next Steps Program (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/next-steps-program)
- [Podcast (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/podcast)
- [Russia Adoption (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/russia-adoption)
- [Sensory Integration (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/sensory-integration)
- [Summertime Series (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/summertime-series)
- [Teenager Brain (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/teenager-brain)
- [Thailand Adoption (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/thailand-adoption)
- [Transitional Care (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/transitional-care)
- [Ukraine Adoption (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/ukraine-adoption)
- [Webinars (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/webinars)

see all

##### Other links

- [I'm Pregnant](http://pregnancyhotline.org)
- [I Am Gladney](https://iamgladney.org/)
- [Adopt*Ed*](http://adoption-education.com)
- [Gladney University](https://iamgladney.org/gladneyuniversity)

- [Like Us On Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/gladneycenter)
- [Follow Us On Twitter](https://twitter.com/gladney_center)
- [Join Us On Google+](https://plus.google.com/+GladneyOrg)
- [Follow Us On Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/gladneycenter/)
- [See Us On YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/gladneycenter)
- [Follow Us On Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/gladneycenter/pins/)
- [Join Us On LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/359887/)

##### [Upcoming Events](https://iamgladney.org/all-upcoming-events)

### Gladney Blog

### Stay Connected with Us

[![Childrens Home Society Of America Logo](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/hubfs/Adoptionsbygladney_November2017/Images/childrens-home-society-of-america.png)](http://www.chsamerica.org) [![National Council For Adoption Logo](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/hubfs/Adoptionsbygladney_November2017/Images/national-council-for-adoption.png)](https://www.adoptioncouncil.org) [![Texas Alliance of Child & Family Services Logo](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/hubfs/Adoptionsbygladney_November2017/Images/tacfs.png)![IAAME-logo](https://adoptionsbygladney.com/uploads/IAAME-logo.png)![Guide-Star-2019-Logo\_recolored\_52](https://adoptionsbygladney.com/uploads/Guide-Star-2019-Logo_recolored_52.png) ![recolored-logo\_52\_EIG](https://adoptionsbygladney.com/uploads/recolored-logo_52_EIG.png)](https://analytics.excellenceingiving.com/overview/gladney-center-for-adoption/)

 

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Gladney Center for Adoption",
    "url" : "https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/author/gladney-center-for-adoption"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2019-05-30T19:45:19.201Z",
  "datePublished" : "2019-05-17T19:21:00.000Z",
  "headline" : "Val - Bright Futures 2019",
  "image" : [ "https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/hubfs/Bright%20Futures/Matteson%20Val%20Graduate.jpg" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/val-bright-futures-2019",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/hubfs/Logos/Gladney-Logo_Stacked-2Color-Navy_CMYK.png"
    },
    "name" : "Gladney Center for Adoption"
  }
}
```