The Ambrose School represents Idaho at the U.S. National Mock Trial Championship
The Ambrose School Mock Trial team went 2-2, losing only to the 7th and 8th ranked team at the US National Mock Trial Championship May 8 – 11. The team’s highlight, however, was a scrimmage against the eventual winner of the national title, Seattle Preparatory, representing Washington State. The 2 losses put us in 32nd place. But the real story is the level of competition at the National Mock Trial Championships. “We’ve learned so much in this round; we’re really on a steep learning curve. We’re learning more than we do in a regular season,” said Leah March as she expressed her gratitude after scrimmaging Seattle Preparatory. In Round 1, Ambrose faced Oregon (7) and lost. In Rounds 2 and 3, Ambrose faced the Mariana Islands and South Korea, beating them. In Round 4, Ambrose faced Wisconsin and had two close point ballots that put us squarely in the running. But it was Wisconsin that prevailed. Seattle Preparatory of Washington and North Myrtle Beach High School of South Carolina competed in the final round. This year’s Ambrose team consisted of senior captain Jacob O’Brien and Nathan Pauls as senior attorneys. Veronica Fedorchuk (11th) and Reagan Good (10th) as attorneys. Elizabeth Garner (12th), Cody Dean (11th), and Leah March (10th) as witnesses. Samantha Baran (10th) was timekeeper. The competition takes place annually and represents all but a handful of states (N. Dakota, S.Dakota, Maryland, West Virginia, and Montana). While billed as a civic or government educational program by the Bar Associations of most states, the program is much more. The program trains students in aspects of oratory, rhetoric, debate, and argument. For this reason, classical Christian schools often find Mock Trial an excellent compliment to their formal academic program. Historically, Logos School, a classical Christian school in Moscow, Idaho, has represented the state of Idaho. This was the first time The Ambrose School has represented the state, despite its regular appearance in the Idaho State Mock Trial Finals.
The Annual Spring Music & Art Festival
What we don’t know about the Spring Music & Art Festival is what type of weather we’ll have (this year it was WIND!). What we DO know is what type of music and art we’ll have . . . beautiful! Every musical group in the school (and there are quite a few) performed at this casual evening aimed at giving parents, grandparents, and other students a taste of what these groups do and learn during a typical day. And as you stroll through the school, taking in the various performances, you also get to peruse the amazing artwork our students turn out, which lines the hallways. This evening caps off a year of watching these students grow in skill and discipline as they sing, play, and create to the glory of God.
The Living History Museum
Mrs. Wasdahl’s 7th grade class provided students, parents, and grandparents interactive displays of ancient world history that included skits, demonstrations, examples, and best of all. . .candy! Thank you to Val MacMahon for snapping these great pictures.
The Mock Trial Team is heading to Wisconsin– sponsors needed!
The Ambrose School’s state champion Mock Trial team is heading to the national competition in Madison, Wisconsin, May 8 – 11. The team will be making the trip by RV. Even with these conservative measures, the trip will cost around $10,000. Students and parents have been hurrying to organize fundraisers in time for the trip. We are so grateful for sponsors who have stepped up to contribute $500 or more to help our team represent Idaho at this national competition. Thank you to these sponsors: Buchanan Nipper Michael and Kim Colby Idaho Law Foundation Moffat Thomas We are still short of our goal, so if you would like to help this hardworking team get to Wisconsin, please consider a tax-deductible gift. You can donate three ways: 1. Stop by the school or mail a check with “Mock Trial trip” in the memo line. Our address is 6100 N. Locust Grove Road, Meridian, ID 83646. 2. Call the school directly at (208)323-3888 and we can take your credit card information over the phone. 3. Online using a credit card. If you donate this way, please send an email to Debbie Skinner at dskinner@theambroseschool.org letting us know that your gift is for the Mock Trial trip to Wisconsin. Click the yellow button below. [blox_button text=”DONATE NOW” link=”https://foundationsacademy.ejoinme.org/giving” target=”_self” style=”3d” color=”#ffcc33″ icon=”” size=”medium” align=”left” /]
Fall Preview for all parents of current 6th – 11th grades May 1st
May 1st is our annual “Fall Preview.” This is an information rich session for ALL Parents of rising 6th- 12th students to help you prepare for and understand changes for the next school year. Current 6th grade parents need to arrive early for a special pre-session on transitioning into the upper school. 6:30 – 7:00pm — Upper School Orientation for current 6th. This session is on transitioning into the upper school from the grammar school. (This is optional for current 5th grade parents, as you will have another year, but you are invited if you are curious about our program). 7:00pm – 8:30pm — Fall Preview. Current 6th through 11th grade parents will be given an overview of more specific updates for the 2014-2015 school year. We will start promptly at 7:00. Please arrive a few minutes early to enjoy fellowship and refreshments. Doors open at 6:15pm. Topics covered: Goals for Graduates, Schedule Updates, House Program, Senior Trip Planning, Preceptorial/Tutorials, Electives, College Planning, Dances and Protocol, Homework, Math Tracking, Technology and Home-life, Parent Education opportunities, Communication and more. Students are not expected, but may attend if interested. Registration documents: 2014-2015 Fall Registration for current 6th & 7th grades 2014-2015 Fall Registration for current 8th – 11th grades 2014-2015 Preceptorials list Instructions for Fall Registration 2014-2015 Letter Fall Preview 2014 Powerpoint slides
Come enjoy the Spring Music & Arts Festival May 7th
Every spring, our music and art students showcase their talents with an evening celebrating the beauty and expression of visual and musical arts. Pick up a schedule of performance locations and times as you enter, then stroll around and enjoy our Devoveo (choir) and Gaudeo (honors choir), and 1st through 4th grade and Cantavi choirs, along with the 5th, 6th, & 7th grade orchestra, Jazz Band, Orchestra, and Honors Orchestra. Along the halls you will find a beautiful variety of artwork created by students from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Come join us! WHAT: Spring Music & Arts Festival WHEN: Wednesday, May 7th at 5:30 pm WHERE: various locations within The Ambrose School
Second Grade Egyptian Day!
In second grade, our students begin learning history chronologically. They begin with the Old Testament and Ancient Egypt, culminating with Egyptian Day in spring to showcase what they have learned about this ancient culture. Enjoy these pictures provided by Ambrose mom and professional photographer, Val MacMahon.
The Ambrose School wins Idaho Mock Trial State Championship!
The Ambrose School Mock Trial team battled its way to win the state Championship on March 20th for the first time in school history. The hard-fought final round against the 15-time state championship team from Logos School in Moscow, Idaho had a margin of victory of just 11 out of a possible 360 points. Ambrose fought its way back from a loss to the Logos B team in the quarterfinals to best Centennial High School in the semi-finals. Ambrose’s A team faced the Logos A team in the finals. The Ambrose B team went head to head with both Ambrose A and Logos A in the same day, narrowly missing the semifinals by only two points. The A team’s win earned The Ambrose School the opportunity to represent the State of Idaho in the US National High School Mock Trial Championships, held on May 8-10 in Madison, Wisconsin. “The competition was exceptionally strong this year. We faced teams from Capital High School, Rocky Mountain High School, and Coeur d’Alene and they were very challenging. We were fortunate to move into the semi-finals. The strength of the Logos team showed as we faced both the A and B teams, eking out a victory in the end,” said David Goodwin, coach of The Ambrose Team. The Ambrose School’s A team victory in the final round leaned on a strong performance by closing attorney Jacob O’Brien to cement the performances of attorneys Veronica Fedorchuk and Reagan Good. O’Brien won an individual award in the championship round for his work as well. Attorney/witness Nathan Pauls and witnesses Cody Dean, Leah March, and Elizabeth Garner worked with timekeeper Samantha Baran to clinch the round. In quarter final play, Veronica Fedorchuck had the extremely rare honor of earning best attorney in three out of four quarterfinal rounds. Cody Dean, Nathan Pauls, and Leah March also earned individual witness awards. The Logos/Ambrose rivalry goes back to 2007 when Ambrose first faced Logos in the State Championship round. In the past seven years, Ambrose has been the Idaho State runner up five times. In 2013, Ambrose lost the state championships on a split decision which was decided by a single point. Between 20 and 40 teams compete annually in the competition sponsored by the Idaho Law Foundation, associated with the Idaho State Bar Association. The mock trial program combines the skills of speech and debate through a trial that consists of opening statements, direct examinations, cross examinations and closing arguments. Each trial typically takes two hours. You can view the full State Championship Round. Over 40 teams will compete in the National Mock Trial competition. “For seven years, we’ve struggled against the storied program at Logos that has set the bar for our state. Facing over 40 teams, potentially of that caliber, is a daunting thought. But, I think this team is ready for it.” The Ambrose team is heading to the national competition in Madison, Wisconsin, May 8 – 11. The team will be making the trip by RV. Even with these conservative measures, the trip will cost around $10,000. Students and parents have been hurrying to organize fundraisers in time for the trip. We are so grateful for sponsors who have stepped up to contribute $500 or more to help our team represent Idaho at this national competition. Thank you to these sponsors: Buchanan Nipper Michael and Kim Colby Idaho Law Foundation Moffat Thomas We are still short of our goal, so if you would like to help this hardworking team get to Wisconsin, please consider a tax-deductible gift. You can donate three ways: 1. Stop by the school or mail a check with “Mock Trial trip” in the memo line. Our address is 6100 N. Locust Grove Road, Meridian, ID 83646. 2. Call the school directly at (208)323-3888 and we can take your credit card information over the phone. 3. Online using a credit card. If you donate this way, please send an email to Debbie Skinner letting us know that your gift is for the Mock Trial trip to Wisconsin. Click the yellow button below. [blox_button text=”DONATE NOW” link=”https://foundationsacademy.ejoinme.org/giving” target=”_self” style=”3d” color=”#ffcc33″ icon=”” size=”medium” align=”left” /]
