Thank you for making the auction a success!
Our annual auction was held Saturday, November 12th, at BSU Stueckle Sky Center. Over 250 attended the evening which included a silent auction, delicious dinner, an exciting live auction, our senior essay winner, a student Speech Meet winner, and our guest of honor, Josh McDowell. Josh McDowell said that evening that he has never spoken at a fundraiser before, but because he was so impressed with what our school is doing to build up the next generation to be thinking, articulate leaders with character, he broke his own rule. We’re excited about this endorsement for classical Christian education from someone like Josh and are looking forward to working with him to bring more Christian schools across the country on board with the tremendous potential cCe holds for our youth. The auction itself was a tremendous success thanks to our parents, grandparents, and donors who turned out in person and remotely to support our school. We had the best auction we’ve had in seven years! Discussions are still happening with key donors, but early numbers suggest that we raised nearly $400,000 in gifts and pledges. This is exceptionally close to the $450K goal. We had a new program this year which allowed remote bidders to sign up and have stewards (high school students) bid on items for them. This program, along with the livestream broadcast on our Facebook page, allowed many more people to participate than ever before. Thank you to all who joined us remotely! Although the stated purpose of an auction is to raise money, no dollar amount can be put on the fellowship and camaraderie that all enjoyed that evening. Thank you for coming and thank you for your support of Ambrose. It’s not too late to help us meet our goal so we can break ground this spring to complete the final phase of our original campus plan! Please consider a one-time or 3-year pledge in time for end of year giving. Go to faithfultothevision.org to learn more and Make the Pledge! If you would like to hear the speeches from that night, the recording can be seen on our Facebook page. Click on Videos to find the auction recording.
Purchase auction tickets here!
Select “EVENT: Seeking Truth Auction & Dinner | Saturday Evening” for the auction. It’s our once a year opportunity for Ambrose family and friends to join together to support our school! The auction helps raise money for a growing number of needs at our school. You won’t want to miss this fun evening of fellowship and a little competitive bidding – all to benefit our students. Saturday, Nov 12 | 5:30 PM-10:00 PM Venue | BSU Stueckle Sky Center What | The Ambrose School’s Annual Auction & Dinner Josh McDowell will speak on Teaching Truth to our Children in a “Whatever” Generation LOOK AT THESE AUCTION PACKAGES! AND MUCH MORE! There are items to bid on or purchase in every price range – something for everyone! Can’t attend the auction? Or want to relax and enjoy the evening? Use our Concierge Program to bid on items by phone or at the event. Email mpetty@theambroseschool.org for more information. DRESS: Business casual to semi-formal Can you help? [blox_button text=”I would like to donate an item or service for the auction” link=”http://theambroseschool.org/auction-donation-form/” target=”#” style=”default” color=”#1F618D” size=”medium” align=”center” /] [blox_button text=”I can’t attend or bid remotely but want to support the school” link=”https://theambroseschool.fasttransact.net” target=”_self” style=”default” color=”#1F618D” size=”medium” align=”center” /]
ACCS President David Goodwin interviewed on Eric Metaxas show
Last week, ACCS President and former Ambrose Headmaster David Goodwin was interviewed on the Eric Metaxas show. He joined the show to explain the advantages of classical Christian education over the common core. The recording is about 40 minutes – listen now or download, then share with friends. https://soundcloud.com/the-eric-metaxas-show/david-goodwin
INSIGHTS: Redirecting our Wheels: Being open to God’s leading, even when it’s a circuitous route
Recently in our 2nd grade class we discussed the Battle at Ai in which the Israelites fail in taking the city of Ai (because of sin in the camp), and then are victorious, with God’s direction and commands being obeyed this time. We fully discussed the unfortunate and final consequences that befell Achan AND his family when he chose to sin rather than to obey. As we were nearing the end of the story, with Joshua and the Israelites victorious in battle, we read of Joshua taking the Books of the Law out of the Ark of the Covenant, re-writing them, and reading them to the Israelites. I asked the students to think about this, having read through much of Genesis, Exodus, and a little Leviticus and Deuteronomy with them. We discussed how long this must have taken, and how tired Joshua might have been writing it out by hand, how many pages it must have been, even whether or not the Israelites had taken a bathroom break during its reading. I hadn’t planned to focus on this part of the story much at all! Yet, the students really wanted to contribute to the discussion, and we ended the story on a much different note than I had purposed. When we were done, I realized that while we didn’t focus much on the obvious point of the story (obedience), we were able to ruminate on different aspects of God’s leading (patience and faithfulness ) in the lives of the Israelites – possibly just as important. So many times we are intent on following a path we think God is leading us down – but along the way we are slowed down by the needs of others, by the detritus on the path, even by paths that seem to be taking us back to where we began. God is waiting for us to understand that even though His leading can wind around, taking us where we didn’t expect to go, or even don’t want to go, the journey, and what we learn along the way, is part of His plan. So when God redirects our wheels, we shouldn’t panic or balk – His timing, and His way, no matter how circuitous, is the path on which we should be. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Prov. 3:5-6)
INSIGHTS: Our Educational Keystone – The Senior Trip
Insights articles, written by Ambrose teachers and administrators, explore the many ways we are purposeful in achieving our goal of “graduating young men and women who possess the qualities of a deep and reasoned faith, a heartfelt moral compass, a strong command of language, are well-read, well-rounded, and appreciate beauty.” Our Educational Keystone – The Senior Trip by Chris Browne Dean of the Upper School In architecture, the keystone is the final, finishing stone in an arch that locks all the remaining stones into place and allows the arch to bear weight. We have an educational equivalent here at the Ambrose School: the senior trip. Each October, our seniors travel together through Italy, France, and England, and experience firsthand many of the key historical sites, great works of art, and architectural landmarks that they studied during their careers here. The senior trip, just like the keystone, brings all those years of study together and locks them into place. It is purely academic (in the negative sense) to read of the conversion of Constantine, the first Christian emperor; however, suddenly all the hours of study come to life when students see the Mulvian Bridge where Constantine’s conversion took place, when they walk through the Roman Forum in the shadow of his triumphal arch, and when they visit the Capitoline Museum and see the remains of Constantine’s colossal statue, with eyes gazing heavenward in acknowledgement of God who gave him the victory. The same can be said of seeing the Colosseum, Notre Dame, the Louvre, Westminster Abbey, the Churchill War Rooms, and other sites and landmarks too numerous to count. But the senior trip is not only about visiting so many of the locations our students study. One of the more sinister effects of secular progressive education is that it serves to disconnect modern students from the religious and intellectual foundations of the western world. It is in visiting Rome, Florence, Paris, and London, that students are faced with the indisputable fact that the history of western civilization and the gospel of the Christian faith are inextricably intertwined. The two cannot be pulled apart, and at no time is that case made more convincingly than while walking through St. Peter’s Basilica, the Louvre, or the National Gallery. Upon experiencing one piece of beautiful art after another, crafted by the greatest geniuses that the western world has produced, each one telling some piece of the Christian story – from the life of King David, to the adoration of the magi, to the pieta – the magnitude and the majesty of the life of Christ and His influence on the world is made manifest in an incontrovertible way. It is no longer Mrs. Post, Mr. Velasco, or you as their parents telling students it is so; they see it firsthand. Finally, the senior year has the potential to be rough. Students are near the end of a long journey and the allure of the college years looms closer than ever. By taking the senior trip at the beginning of the year instead of the end, we pull many of these potential barriers up by the roots before they take hold in the senior year. The trip provides a common set of exceptional experiences for our seniors that unites the class in powerful bonds of friendship that cannot be replicated any other way. The trip is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, taken with classmates, many of whom have been integral parts of each others’ lives for a decade or more. At The Ambrose School, we believe whole-heartedly in all the benefits of the senior trip. It is our sincerest hope that all seniors will go on tour with us, and we are committing our institutional weight to help make that a reality. As a community, we reserve most all fundraising for the junior class. We also diligently price-shop and look to find the right quality and cost balance. Furthermore, we are in the process of designating a portion of the operating budget to subsidize the cost of the trip, with the goal being a more manageable price tag for our families. We know the trip comes at a great cost to our families, and that is not a fact we take lightly.
PARENTS: Pick up your Back to School Packet before August 1
All the information you need to be ready for school to start is contained in your family’s packet. Help us save on postage and stop by the office between 9 am – 2 pm Monday through Thursday to pick yours up. If you are unable to come by, we will mail any remaining packets out on August 1st. Uniforms, Supplies, and Book Ordering Please visit our Back to School Packets page to find your child’s supply list, uniform information, and the Amazon Bookstore link.
Mock Trial team finishes in top 10 nationwide!
Both Idaho Mock Trial teams place in top 10 during National High School Mock Trial Championships in Boise The Idaho champion Ambrose School’s and Idaho runner-up’s Logos School finished 6th and 7th respectively out of 46 teams that came from all over the United States plus South Korea, Guam, and Northern Mariana Islands. The Idaho Law Foundation hosted the 2016 National High School Mock Trial Championship in Boise for the first time. Approximately 1,000 judges, lawyers, and students descended on downtown Boise, enjoying some of our signature experiences such as learning jota at the Boise Basque Center and touring the Discovery Center. The Ambrose School lost one round to the 2nd place team, Nebraska, and ended with a 3-1 win/loss, beating out Utah, The Northern Marianas Islands, and Texas teams, and finishing with a total of 9 ballots. The runner-up Idaho team, Logos School, finished with a total of 8 ballots to secure the 7th place finish. Logos also earned a ‘Best Attorney’ award. Our team’s 6th place finish is the highest any Idaho team has placed at nationals. The national winner was a team from Iowa’s Home School Assistance Program. Congratulations Mock Trial team! https://www.facebook.com/Idaho-Mock-Trial-1565140027101234/ https://www.facebook.com/National-High-School-Mock-Trial-Championship-Inc-267025570002719/ http://www.2016nationalmocktrial.org/
Mock Trial team wins 2016 state championship title
by David Goodwin This is only the second time that Ambrose has clinched the state championship in Mock Trial. Over the past 10 years, Ambrose has battled to the state finals eight times. Ambrose won in 2014 and competed at the National Mock Trial tournament in Madison, Wisconsin. This year, we defeated Logos School in north Idaho to represent Idaho in the first-ever Boise Nationals competition held in Boise on May 12-14. The road to the championship was long. First, we had to advance from the 2016 regional competition held in Caldwell. We defeated Capital and Centennial high schools, as well as our own “B” team, which was the secondary team from Ambrose. We took first place in the southern regional. In the state quarter finals, we defeated Coeur d’Alene and Lake City from the North, as well as Logos School in Moscow’s ‘B’ team, and a team from Helena, Montana. We entered the semi finals as one of the top contenders, having lost no ballots from judges in the earlier regional or state competitions. Ambrose defeated Mountain Home in the semi finals 3-0 to face Logos school in Moscow for the final round in the Idaho Supreme Court. We defeated Logos with the narrowest of margins— 2 ballots to 1, with only one point separating the two teams for the victory. Ambrose had eight students on our winning team. In the final round, student attorneys Noah Pauls, Eric Wilford, and Ally Chaney argued for the Plaintiff in a securities fraud case written by representatives of the Idaho State Bar Assn. Witnesses Reagan Good, Noah Good, and Samantha Baran competed with Leah March rounding out the team as the timekeeper. Leah, Reagan, and Noah played instrumental roles as attorneys and Phillip Cutler as a witness on our defense side in earlier rounds. Mock Trial is a motivating and high-energy competition where teams of 7-9 students construct a court-case out of documents provided to both sides. The teams use strategy, rhetorical skills, argument, and examination skills to battle for a win in any given round. The US National High School Mock Trial championships will be held in Boise for the first time in the event’s history. The Ada County Courthouse will provide the courtrooms for over 46 teams from the more than 50 US states and territories. This annual event draws judges and lawyers who are self-proclaimed “mock trial junkies” from around the nation. And, it draws teams from as far away as the Solomon Islands and South Korea. Ambrose team members win Regional and State Awards At The Regional trials in Caldwell, Ambrose took 5 of 9 attorney awards, as well as 3 witness awards. State Awards State Quarter Final Best Attorneys: Reagan Good, Hannah Owens, Noah Pauls, Eric Wilford Best Witness: Eric Wilford 4 teams in Semi Finals Logos A, Ambrose A, Logos B, Mountain Home Best Attorney: Ally Chaney Best Witness: Samantha Baran 2 Teams in the Finals Logos A, Ambrose A Best Witness: Samantha Baran
