Patrick Holleron is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Veritas Prep High School for AZPreps365.com 

In the fall of 2012 Tico Lentz was playing soccer with his friends at one of the Haiti Lifeline Ministries orphanages.  

Little did he know his life would be changing forever that day as he met his adopted mother, Charla Lentz, (CQ) for the first time.

“When all the little children came to the gate, as our truck pulled up to the gate, Tico and I locked eyes,” Charla said. “I perceived it as a divine experience. I knew that was my child.” 

Charla went to Haiti to support her friend Sara Vincent, (CQ) who is a member of the Haiti Lifeline Ministries which provides support to abandoned and orphaned children in Haiti. Prior to the trip, Charla and her husband, Nathan Lentz, (CQ) had agreed they weren’t going to be adopting. 

“Right as I’m getting onto the airplane he (Nathan) said to me, ‘Guard your heart, we are not adopting,’” Charla said. “He then told me ‘show love to the children, help build the orphanage and come home,’”

Once she met Tico and his sister, Mirdedge Lentz, (CQ) she was at an emotional crossroads.  

“It was a real struggle that entire week because I knew I wasn't supposed to be adopting,” Charla said. “In my heart I just knew he belonged in our family.”

Coming back from Haiti, Charla was determined to have Tico be a part of her family. Nathan was hesitant at first as they already had four children, but he was willing to consider the idea.

“Charla came home and told me ‘I met our son,’” Nathan said. “I was like this is not a part of the plan. We had four kids at the time. She (Charla) just said ‘take some time, think about it, and go visit (Haiti)’. ‘If you don't feel the same way, I won't mention it again’. I went and as Charla said, I had a similar experience with Tico and his biological sister, Mirdedge.”

After that Nathan and Charla began the process of adopting Tico and Mirdedge, which in total took five years. During that time they began introducing their biological children to Tico and Mirdedge. 

 

 Tico Lentz and his family pose for a family portrait after he is adopted in Phoenix.  (Tico Lentz photo)

“It was exciting to hear the news for the first time,” Tico’s brother’ Casen Lentz’ (CQ) said.  “We Skyped and FaceTimed them while they were still in Haiti. When I went to Haiti to visit them for a couple days, it was super cool and fun to finally meet them.” 

Casen, who is the youngest of his biological siblings, felt some pressure to act as role model to Tico, who is roughly around the same age as him. 

“It was definitely a little nerve-wracking at first,” Casen said. “At the time, bringing in a kid who's about the same age as me, but also is now my younger brother was an adjustment.” 

Learning a new language altogether was a challenge at times for Tico, but the help and support from his family made it easier to pick up. 

“I was mostly taught English by my mom (Charla),” Tico said. “I picked some things up around my dad (Nathan), Casen, and all my other siblings to help me learn. It was mainly through everyday interactions that I have with my family.” 

While Tico was excited to come to the U.S and be with his adopted family, the road to adjusting to his new life hasn’t always been perfect. There are times he feels homesick and misses being in Haiti.

“I still miss my friends and family in Haiti sometimes,” Tico said. “Knowing that I don't see them every day, my friends that I grew up with, it weighs on me. Haiti is just so far away from me, I don't see them very often or at all, basically.” 

Nathan and Charla have always tried to make it feel like home for Tico and Mirdedge by learning Creole along with making Haitian dishes. 

“We were intentional about keeping the Haitian language and culture in their lives so that the transition year didn't feel like they were surrendering everything they knew,” Charla said. “We cooked Haitian foods, sang Haitian songs, and played Haitian games to help them adjust.” 

Casen and his older brother ,Gage, both put it on themselves to help Tico any way they could. A mutual passion for sports and physical activities created experiences for Tico to connect with his adopted brothers on a personal level.  

“We all love playing sports and it helped us bond quickly,” Gage said. “The first time Casen and I met Tico in person, he was playing soccer at the orphanage. We joined and all three of us were on the same team. It was awesome. After that everything was history. We played and practiced together in any sport we were in.”

Tico’s favorite sport was soccer, but he developed an interest in football by watching games on TV and seeing his brothers during their games.

“I never played it until I moved to the U.S. I got into it because everyone in my family are big football fans,” Tico said. “I was happy to play because I've watched football ever since I was 12 years old. I always saw my brothers play and I always wanted to know how it feels to be in a live game.” 

Nathan has witnessed first-hand how playing in team sports like football has been a huge part of Tico building a strong connection with his new siblings. 

“I think participating in sports has absolutely helped them relate to each other,” Nathan said. After a season ending injury to Tico, “Tico went to practice every day, he didn't miss a practice just because he wasn't playing in a game that week. He always loved to be out there to support his brothers no matter what. And I think that's the beauty of sports, especially team sports. You develop a different type of bond with your brothers that are on the field.”Tico Lentz with his sister Halle (left), brother Casen (middle), and brother Gage after a Veritas Prep football game..  (Photo courtesy of Tico Lentz )

The Lentz family was able to enjoy a special moment as Veritas Prep played against Scottsdale Prep on August 27, 2021. It was the first time that all three Lentz brothers would share the field together in a live football game. 

“That was one of the coolest games,” Gage said. “I remember the first half of that game was unbelievable, throwing a touchdown pass to Casen and then handing the ball off to Tico for a run. I don't think I will ever experience something like that ever again. It was really special to be out there with my brothers.”

Playing sports of all kinds has always been a stress reliever for Tico. Being a part of the football team has helped Tico make more friends and given him a sense of normalcy while living in Arizona.

“Practicing every day leading up to games on Fridays helps keep me busy and clears my mind of other things I have going on,” Tico said. “I wake up every morning looking forward to football practice and seeing all my friends.”

To leave the place you've called home for the first 12 years and having to learn an entirely new culture is a life-changing event. Tico has embraced every challenge life has thrown at him and will always be grateful for everything the Lentz family has done for him.

“People always say to us ‘Oh, those kids are so lucky to have you,’” Nathan said. “I think it’s the opposite. It's changed our family for the better and we are lucky to have them. It's allowed our family to grow in ways that we could never imagine.”