A Yankee Doodle Boy

By Mary Alice Garrett

This story originally appeared December 9, 1993 in the News Journal of Wilmington, Delaware.

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. -- Michael Carroll says his adopted Thai son, Billy, is "more American" than he is. The 7-year-old's favorite foods are apple pie, hamburger and pizza.

Billy lived in a Bangkok orphanage until he was 4, before being adopted by Mary and Michael Carroll of Red Clay in Kennett Township. Mary Carroll was adopted herself and liked the idea of adopting a sibling for the family's older natural children, Micki and Dan, now 16 and 13.

The Carrolls found Billy through Welcome House, A United States adoption agency founded by author Pearl S. Buck. Susan Ford of Hockessin operates a local branch office.

In 1990, the entire Carroll family spent two weeks in the Thai capital of Bangkok getting to know Billy. "The two older children gave him a crash course in English when they went there three years ago," said Michael Carroll. Billy had "no adjustment problems whatsoever," joining the family, said Mary Carroll.

On Nov. 30, Billy was one of 24 children from 13 countries to become American citizens at a special Americanization ceremony for youngsters in Philadelphia. Billy, whose adoption was finalized six months ago, was in the limelight and loved it.

"I met a judge. He called me by my name -- William -- and I went up front. I said I would like to be a citizen," said the diminutive, personable boy who was later interviewed on television.

The following day, Billy was a celebrity at his school -- Greenwood Elementary School. Students and teachers declared it "Billy Day," holding an assembly for the entire student body.

"It gave us a good opportunity to have a school spirit day," said Billy's first-grade teacher, Susan Froning. "We try to have them every couple months."

Pupils were asked to dress either as a famous American or to wear red, white and blue. Paige Causey, 7, dressed as the Statue of Liberty. A fifth-grade class staged a skit on what it means to be an American.

Billy sat on the stage sporting a politician's white foam boater and an American flag design shirt. Attached to the shirt was a large pin declaring, "I'm proud to be an American."

After an introduction by principal Susan Kampf, Billy presented a gift to the school library. It was a CD ROM of poems by New Kids on the Block.

A fifth-grade class presented a time warp skit combining "Star Trek" with American history. Included were the American patriot Samuel Adams, Abraham Lincoln and Emma Lazarus, author of the poem inscribed on the Statue of Liberty.

The skit was followed by some rollicking American songs led by music teacher Roseanne Kelly, in a bright blue blazer and red high heels. One song concluded with a "Hi, Bill" wave to Billy.

Later that day, Billy's classmates hosted a party. Refreshments included red, white and blue gelatin, red punch, dried cranberries, cake and ice cream. Froning gave each child a red, white and blue flashlight to take home.

Billy brought a small stuffed elephant from Thailand to show the class. "Billy loves school. He hates weekends," said his mother. "He loves it when we give him chores. He also likes soccer and gymnastics."

Billy's conversation was sprinkled with "Please," "Thank you" and "May I?" "Thank you for taking my picture," he said to a newspaper photographer as the assembly ended.