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.
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