PHOTO BY JILL GOSCHE Michele Weaver participates in the Seneca County Fair’s rabbit competition Wednesday.

About 18 months ago, Michele Weaver, a newly adopted 11-year-old who spoke little English, arrived in the United States. She had lived in an orphanage in Beijing, and came to Tiffin because she was adopted by Tom and Jean Weaver. Tom said Michele, a seventh-grader in the Hopewell-Loudon Local School District, is adapting well to new situations and experiences. “Her personality is she’s strong-willed,” he said. “She’s smart; she’s active.” Tom and Jean had been in line for an infant, but their adoption agency was given an opportunity to find families for some older children. “Michele was one of those in that group,” Tom said. The Weavers got Michele, who had lived in the orphanage since Feb. 12, 2009. Jean said it is a challenging situation to bring an older child into a new country, and the children go through culture shock. Michele has made an amazing change, she said. “She’s really doing well,” she said.