Ocala teen to address D.C. adoptions, orphans conference

By Susan Latham Carr

STAR-BANNER

Sophia Ramirez, a 14-year-old honors student from Ocala, will address the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives tomorrow morning during a discussion about Community Solutions for Orphans and Vulnerable Children.

Sophia, who was adopted from the Ukraine in 2004 by Stephanie and Carlos Ramirez, will speak about international adoptions at the Compassion in Action Roundtable, which will feature Jedd Medefind, deputy director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives and actor, producer and adoption advocate Eduardo Verastegui, as well as other government and nongovernment officials, who work in the adoption and orphan care field.

Vertastegui stars in the adoption-themed movie, "Bella". The discussion will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in Room 450 of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, Washington, D.C.