CityView Magazine

CityViewNC.com | 21 Questionable stares But Julia is not blind to the fact that her children did not become her family without experiencing pain. "Adoption is a double-edged sword," she says. "ere was a great loss for them to be here, a great loss in their life. at's something they overcome every day. Each one of them has their own story, and each one of them deals with their own story in a different way." One pursuit that all the children actively embrace and make new stories with is the avenue of sports competition at Cape Fear High School. "I think sports has been such a positive way for them to work through any feeling that they had, to be part of a positive group of kids. And their coaches are phenomenal," says Julia. "ey are surrounded by such great people that have given them so many opportunities." e support goes beyond sports. Hannah and Brice both arrived in America with no English language skills. e Cape Fear education community helped them overcome that problem. Having four teenagers involved in sports means a busy schedule of turning out for games for the McKenzie parents, as well as the other siblings who have grown up, moved out and started their own families. "We don't miss a game," Julia says. "Wherever they go, they all want to follow." 'It's beautiful to see' Amey Shook, who coaches the Cape Fear cheerleaders, said both Abby Grace and Hannah work well with their teammates and bring laughter, fun, hard work and dedication to what they do. She says the McKenzies are a wonderful family who have opened their hearts to their children. "eir kids love them, and they love their kids," she says. "It's beautiful to see." But when the dirty looks come, Julia says, the family tries to get something positive from the experience. "It gave us an opportunity to have conversations with our kids about racism, about diversity, how some people make you feel," Julia says. "You get the opportunity to grow up and say, 'You're staring at my family.'" Julia adds that the children love that their family is different. "It's never been anything but natural to have open conversations," she says. "We just always have been communicators. "I've looked at every bit of racism we've encountered and every negative as an opportunity for growth and conversation." On the football field, John Bryan and Brice are looking out for each other in a real sense. ey are both members of the Cape Fear football team. John Bryan plays in the offensive line, providing blocking and pass protection for Brice, who is the starting quarterback this year. "is school district has embraced our family," Julia says. "Everyone in the administration, all the teachers, every coach. We've never had a negative experience. ey've loved and supported our kids and accepted our family." But not everything has been perfect. Even in the United States in 2023, some people have narrow minds and misguided ideas about race and culture and how they intermingle. Julia remembers earlier times, when the children were younger and the whole family would go out to eat at a restaurant. ey frequently got looks and stares at their table, which was filled with what looked like a humanity rainbow. Julia remembers a visit to a pizza parlor when another patron kept casting curious glances at the McKenzie family. Finally, daughter Abby Grace, who was about 7 at the time, turned and said, "If you want to ask us a question, ask us a question." A basketball player as well as a varsity cheerleader, Abby Grace grew up playing sports and says she had no trouble assimilating into life at Cape Fear. "ey care that we're different races," she says. "ey accept all of us. at's what I love about playing sports. ey don't really care what color you are or where you come from." Hannah, who also is a cheerleader, agrees. "I've never felt not included," she says. "I've always felt welcome by my family and my peers. I never interacted with anybody giving me a dirty look or anything."

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