The Lennertz Family

Although she has lived in several places, Chadwick parent Nikki Lennertz grew up in the Los Angeles area and first moved to Palos Verdes in 1998. In contrast, her husband, Neil, grew up in New York and Massachusetts, moving to the Los Angeles area after college when he accepted a position in the aerospace industry. Neil now works in the healthcare industry.

Nikki and Neil met on a ski trip in Mammoth Lakes, Calif.,in 1995 and were married three years later. Harrison, the couple's only child and a current Chadwick eighth-grader, was born in 2002.

The Lennertz family joined the Chadwick community in the fall of 2013 when Harrison entered Chadwick's sixth-grade class. They chose Chadwick School for its community atmosphere, small class sizes, and the fact that Harrison could pursue his strong interests in the performing arts, math, science and Mandarin at Chadwick.

Soon after Harrison arrived here, the family discovered firsthand what a wonderful fit the school was for all of them. In fact, like most Chadwick students, Harrison is involved in innumerable activities including or-chestra, Pep Band, basketball, fencing, cartooning, Improv Club and Garage Band Club. He is a theater arts "triple threat," equally at home acting, sing-ing or dancing in Chadwick plays and musicals. Last year, Harrison also par-ticipated in a three-week exchange program at Chadwick International in Songdo, South Korea.

That active Chadwick involvement is a hallmark of the Lennertz family. Nikki serves on the Performing Arts Limelighters Board and chaired the 2014 Dolphin Booster Club Chili Cook-off, in addition to volunteering whenever and wherever she is need-ed. Neil can be found supporting Chadwick performing arts initiatives and athletics whenever his busy work schedule permits.

According to Nikki and Neil, Chadwick is a place where Harrison has a wide menu of options and can pursue his diverse interests. Said Nikki, "Chadwick has been a place that provides an ex-tensive support network, and students are encouraged to get outside of their comfort zone and to take risks that would otherwise not be possible."

Since coming to Chadwick, Nikki and Neil have seen marked intellectual development in their son, as well as a heightening of his social awareness. So, when it came time to plan for their family's future, it was a natural decision for Nikki and Neil to think of Chadwick School when making their estate plans.

"We are proud to include Chadwick in our estate plans because we want to support an organization that shares our values as a family," said Nikki. "Everyone at Chadwick—from the teachers and administration to the building and grounds staff—cares so deeply about the students. We are so grateful for what Chadwick has done for Harrison and how each member of the community cares for our son. I feel like we are all part of one family with everyone caring for him the way a real family does, which is simply priceless."

Asked whether arranging a planned gift was difficult, Nikki and Neil found that it was a very easy thing to do. And, Nikki noted, planned gifts have the potential to make a profound and lasting impact.

"At the end of the day, we want to leave a legacy and help ensure that Chadwick continues its mission well into the future," said Nikki. "I can't think of a better way for families who appreciate the school and commu-nity to help pay it forward for future generations. Planned gifts can make a long-term impact regardless of size."

If you have included Chadwick in your estate plan or would like to learn more about planned giving options at Chadwick, please contact Hailey S. Morris at 424.343.4914 or hmorris@chadwickschool.org.