St. Patrick’s Day celebrations don’t always involve green, gold and an abundance of adult beverages in James Halatin’s household.

Instead, Halatin approaches March 17 with a high amount of reverence.

It was on that day in 1980 when 8-year-old James Burkette, of Kerrville, was adopted into the home of Ted and Carolyn Halatin.

Years later, James Halatin, who currently serves as an English teacher and head girls basketball coach at Lehman High, views his upbringing as a way to ide...