INTERMOUNTAIN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL BLOG
November 2024 Students of the Month
Congratulations to ICS’s November 2024 Students of the Month!
Celebrate these students with us!
Congratulations to Quinn, the November ICS Elementary Student of the Month!
Quinn (5th grade) is seen as a servant worker and community builder in her classroom. She regularly offers a helping hand to her classmates and teachers. Quinn has a positive attitude and approaches each task with diligence and care. She remains focused on her assignments and is respectful to others. Quinn’s hard work and dedication earned her this month’s recognition.
Congratulations to Ellington, the November ICS Middle School Student of the Month!
Ellington (8th grade) goes out of her way to include others to help them feel more comfortable and connected. She is an encouragement to younger students in middle school and is a role model for many. As a student, Ellington is conscientious in her work. It is Ellington’s first year at ICS, and she has adjusted quickly and has stepped up as a valuable leader in her class.
Congratulations to Noah, the November ICS High School Student of the Month!
Noah (12th grade) continually works hard in each of his classes, and remains energetic and motivated throughout his senior year. He is influential among his peers in positive ways, and is consistently recognized as a peacemaker. Noah was a valued member of the baseball team, and will play basketball again next season.
October 2024 Students of the Month
Congratulations to ICS’s October 2024 Students of the Month!
Celebrate these students with us!
Congratulations to Stella, the October ICS Elementary Student of the Month!
Stella (kindergarten) is an excellent student. She takes an initiative to help her table, her class, and her teachers. She has a servant heart and works to show God’s love to others continually. She works diligently in all her subjects and excels in them. Stella loves to draw and color and make the world around her more beautiful. She is a sweet presence in the kindergarten classroom.
Congratulations to Lincoln, the October ICS Middle School Student of the Month!
Congratulations to our Middle School Student of the Month, Lincoln (6th)! In the short time Lincoln has been in middle school, he has managed to make friends in every grade. He has proven to be focused in class as well as able to have fun with his peers. His teachers say that he is a leader in the classroom and respectful to teachers and peers alike. Way to go, Lincoln!
Congratulations to Matthew, the October ICS High School Student of the Month!
Matthew (9th) is new to ICS this year and has wasted no time getting plugged into the ICS community. He is a hard worker and a friend to all. He is always jumping in to help whenever and wherever he is needed. His positive attitude is contagious in the classroom and on the cross country course. Matthew is consistently respectful to his teachers and his peers, and he is a joy to be around!
From South Carolina to Salt Lake City, Meet Darah Doty
Darah Doty came to ICS by way of South Carolina. The opportunity to teach at a strong Christian school motivated Darah to apply for the second grade teacher position.
Relocated from South Carolina to Salt Lake City, Meet Darah Doty
Darah Doty came to ICS by way of South Carolina. The opportunity to teach at a strong Christian school motivated Darah to apply for the second grade teacher position. Her faith in God is integrated in everything she does in the classroom. Her faith influences how she views each student, how she problem solves and of course, the foundation of academics.
Mrs. Doty’s favorite part about coming to work every day is being with her students. When she’s not in the classroom, she enjoys a variety of hobbies. She's an avid reader, knitter, and baker. To stay active, she enjoys working out and hiking. And here's a fun fact: Mrs. Doty is a big hockey fan!
The Doty family has been attending Evangelical Free Church. Darah’s two sons are students at ICS; Matthew is a freshman and Jonathan is in his junior year.
We are grateful the Dotys landed in Utah! Please join us in giving Mrs. Doty a warm ICS welcome. We're confident she will be a blessing to our second graders and the ICS community!
September 2024 Students of the Month
Congratulations to ICS’s September 2024 Students of the Month!
ICS September 2024 Students of the Month
Celebrate these students with us!
Congratulations to Charlie, the September ICS Elementary Student of the Month!
Our Elementary School Student of the Month is Charlie. Charlie is an exceptional young man who always speaks with kindness and is the first one to lend a helping hand. He is a community builder, seeking to meet the needs of those around him and celebrate his friends' victories. Charlie leads by example as he strives for excellence in his academics and in his actions. We are blessed to have him in our class this year!
Congratulations to Landon, the September ICS Middle School Student of the Month!
Congratulations to Landon, our September Middle School Student of the Month! From the lacrosse field to the classroom, Landon consistently shows up, ready to tackle anything that comes his way. What has stood out to his teachers most this month is his willingness to help, even without being told to do so. He is always willing to assist a fellow student in Math class and even cleaned up the cafeteria after chapel on his own. Landon's kindness and respect for others is a shining light in middle school!
Congratulations to Molly, the September ICS High School Student of the Month!
Our High School Student of the Month is Molly. Molly is a hard-working member of Student Council and worked alongside her peers this summer to plan the high school retreat. She leads with humility and patience. Molly has also stepped up to be the yearbook editor this year. Molly is also a diligent student and leads her peers by example in her classes each day.
Get to Know Matt Parker, Our ICS Interim Head of School
The oldest of four boys, he grew up in New Hampshire, where his parents made sacrifices to send him and his brothers to a Christian school. After graduating, he met his wife in college. He then moved to Indiana, where he served as the assistant pastor at a church for several years.
Get to Know Matt Parker, Our ICS Interim Head of School
We are excited to introduce Matt, the new Interim Head of School at Intermountain Christian School (ICS). A man of faith and wisdom, Matt brings a wealth of experience and a deep love for the ICS community to his new role.
Matt's journey to ICS is a testament to God's sovereign leadership in his life.
The oldest of four boys, he grew up in New Hampshire, where his parents made sacrifices to send him and his brothers to a Christian school. After graduating, he met his wife in college. He then moved to Indiana, where he served as the assistant pastor at a church for several years.
In 2011, Matt moved to Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and served in a local church while also working in the community in operations and finance roles. A few years later, he and his family moved to Utah, where he became part of a team that revitalized a small church in the Riverton area.
It was during this time that Matt first joined ICS as the business manager, and then later as a middle school Bible teacher. His connection to ICS, combined with his leadership skills and experience in operations and finance, make him an ideal fit for the role of Interim Head of School.
Matt is passionate about the ICS community. He perceives ICS as a hub for the Christian community, fostering and strengthening relationships. Moreover, he sees ICS as a haven, a safe space for Christians in Utah, and a place where students receive love and care from a dedicated team of staff and teachers.
In his first few weeks as Interim Head of School, Matt has been focusing on listening and learning. He has been meeting with staff, teachers, and the board to understand their perspectives and ideas for the future. He hopes to continue this open dialogue as he leads the school forward.
As we welcome Matt to his new role, he has asked for the community's prayers. Specifically, he asks that we pray for the right families and students to come to the school, for the ICS team to be strengthened, and for him to be granted wisdom to lead the school effectively.
We are excited about the future of ICS under Matt's leadership and are grateful to have him guide us during this pivotal time for our school. Please join us in extending a heartfelt welcome to Matt!
Tune in to the following video to hear an interview with Matt Parker and Denise Buckley firsthand.
Community, Small Classrooms, and eye-opening experiences – An Alumni's Reflections
Lucy’s class graduated 26 students. She believes being part of such a small class led to the opportunity to be poured into by all of her teachers. Making the jump from ICS to a large state university was not without its challenges. Lucy looks back on the small classrooms and appreciates the one on one attention and conversations that she had with her teachers and other students.
Alumni Interview: Lucy Cole
Lucy Cole is an ICS “lifer” and attended ICS for 14 years, graduating in 2022. She currently attends the University of Utah and lives off campus. She is majoring in marketing with a minor in parks, recreation and tourism.
When she looks at her ICS tenure, she credits her experience in athletics for helping her decide on a major. A visiting professor came to one of her classes and discussed sports marketing, and Lucy was intrigued. She has since been doing an athletic internship with the U’s athletic department and is enjoying it.
Lucy is grateful for all the travel opportunities she had while an ICS student. She recently wrote a college essay about her experiences on the music tour and how much she learned during that time away. The field studies trips fueled Lucy’s desire to travel and see more of the world. By the time she graduated from ICS, she was ready to intentionally seek out more of those opportunities. Lucy will be studying abroad in South Korea this fall!
Lucy’s class graduated 26 students. She believes being part of such a small class led to the opportunity to be poured into by all of her teachers. Making the jump from ICS to a large state university was not without its challenges. Lucy looks back on the small classrooms and appreciates the one on one attention and conversations that she had with her teachers and other students.
Lucy encourages ICS high school students not to waste the opportunities to seek community and plug in. It’s easy to think of the four years of high school as being very temporary, but looking back, Lucy values the tightness she had with her classmates. She is still in contact with some of her ICS classmates and regularly serves with some through Young Life.
Lucy thinks after graduating from the University of Utah, she may pursue life in another state. She spent the summer of 2023 at Crater Lake National Park working in the gift shop there. She may revisit Oregon or pursue life in the Carolinas. Wherever Lucy pursues the next steps, she will fondly remember the time spent in the hallways at ICS.
May 2024 Students of the Month
Congratulations to ICS’s May 2024 Students of the Month!
ICS May 2024 Students of the Month
Celebrate these students with us!
Congratulations to Grace, the May ICS Elementary Student of the Month!
Congratulations to Grace, from 5th grade, who is the May ICS Elementary Student of the Month! Grace is not only an exceptional student, but she is also a fantastic member of the Elementary School Leadership Team (ESLT). Whenever the ESLT has a project to complete, she contributes her ideas and helpful suggestions. She exemplifies a servant worker, always asking how she can help. We are so grateful to have Grace in the 5th grade and as a member of the ESLT!
Congratulations to Phoebe, the May ICS Middle School Student of the Month!
Congratulations to Phoebe, a delightful student in our Middle School who brings laughter and joy to her classmates. She serves her peers well and faces challenges with a compassionate nature and a gentle demeanor. Her resilience, commendable habits, and discipline while balancing the demands of Middle School academics have impressed her teachers. We are proud of Phoebe, our May Middle School Student of the Month!
Congratulations to Kendrick, the May ICS High School Student of the Month!
Congratulations to Sophomore Kendrick, our High School Student of the Month! Even at this stage of the school year, she continues to demonstrate great diligence. Along with her strong work ethic, she maintains a positive attitude in the classroom. In addition to her academic performance, Kendrick plays a significant role on the women's football team, contributing significantly to their successful season.
April 2024 Students of the Month
Congratulations to ICS’s April 2024 Students of the Month!
ICS April 2024 Students of the Month
Celebrate these students with us!
Congratulations to Bodie, the April ICS Elementary Student of the Month!
April's Elementary Student of the Month, Bodie (Pre-K), is a sweet kid with an amazing love for God. He enjoys learning about every aspect of God’s creation, especially the animal kingdom, and sharing that joy and excitement with his classmates and teachers. Bodie’s kind heart shines through in his interactions with the other students, and he is a joy to have in the classroom.
Congratulations to Bella, the April ICS Middle School Student of the Month!
Bella is an engaging and kind student who excels academically and creatively. Her recent theater performance was outstanding, resulting in a nomination for Outstanding Cameo as the Nightingale in Once Upon a Mattress. Her infectious laughter brings a friendly atmosphere to the classroom. Bella's positive demeanor and natural curiosity inspire her classmates.
Congratulations to Elora, the April ICS High School Student of the Month!
Elora, a senior, is in her first year at ICS. She exhibits kindness towards everyone—classmates, underclassmen, faculty, and staff. Elora is a thoughtful listener. Her authenticity and compassion for others reflect her profound love for Jesus. We are grateful that God led Elora to ICS!
April 2024 Employee Spotlight - Mr. Salankat!
Congratulations, Mr. Salankat, the ICS April 2024 Employee Spotlight!
Teaching in America: Joel Salankat Finds Community through Teaching at ICS
Congratulations, Mr. Salankat, for being selected as the April Employee Spotlight!
Joel Salankat joined the faculty at ICS directly from Jakarta, Indonesia. While this school year is not his first year teaching, it is his first year teaching in the United States! Mr. Salankat was pleasantly surprised by the culture at ICS. The way the media portrays youth in the United States, he was not expecting his students to be so disciplined. He appreciates the attitudes of the students and that they come to class with a willingness to learn. Joel was impressed by the tight knit atmosphere among the faculty members and quickly assimilated as a valued part of the middle school team.
Joel teaches 6th and 7th grade social studies, and English for the entire middle school. He is well liked by his students. He is also the book club advisor for middle school. Mr. Salankat leads discussions, develops creative tasks, and organizes role-playing and other interactive activities to foster a love of reading and learning. At times, book club participants will compete in a spelling bee, a debate, or complete a writing assignment. The goal of book club is to expose the students to different cultures and to develop a habit of reading.
Mr. Salankat would want people to know certain things about his teaching style. He says that whatever he does should be done with excellence, be rooted in the scriptures, and be motivated by love. He wants to be known for teaching redemptively. He desires for his students to become avid readers. Reading grants the reader a chance to live a thousand lives and offers perspective and open mindedness.
When not in the classroom, Joel enjoys reading, running, hiking and also relaxing and watching TV shows. He also enjoys frequenting coffee shops. Joel attends Gospel Grace Church.
We are grateful to have him serving our students and community!
March 2024 Employee Spotlight - Mrs. Parker!
Congratulations, Mrs. Parker, the ICS March 2024 Employee Spotlight!
ICS March 2024 Employee Spotlight
Congratulations Mrs. Parker, ICS Librarian.
Pictured is Mrs. Parker at work. She helps each student, igniting a love for learning and reading.
How long have you been at ICS and what do you do?
This is my 2nd year at ICS. I'm the librarian and have the privilege of working with Ms. Potter, teaching 3rd grade two afternoons a week.
What brought you to ICS?
The Lord clearly directed my husband, Matt, to ICS when we first moved to Utah and it was a great experience for him. He loved the staff, students, and community here. I had worked in an elementary school before moving to Utah and had wanted to again, so when an opportunity opened up for my current position at the same time we were enrolling our son in 1st grade, I was excited to join this fantastic team.
What is one encouraging thing that has happened at school recently that you'd like to share?
Recently, I was so encouraged by the support of the staff, students, and their parents when we brought the Book Fair to ICS this past February. It has been awhile since the school's been able to host a book fair, so we weren't sure how it would go. The staff was so encouraging about it, the students were excited for the books, and many families bought books knowing the school benefited from the sales. I loved seeing the enthusiasm families had for reading and ICS.
What is your deep hope for your students and/or our school this year?
My deep hope for my students is that they would discover, discern, and enjoy excellent stories. I want them to love reading and learn what is good to fill their minds with based on Philippians 4:8 so they can grow in their love for God and others.
March 2024 Students of the Month
Congratulations to ICS’s March 2024 Students of the Month!
ICS March 2024 Students of the Month
Celebrate these students with us!
Congratulations to Eliza, the March ICS Elementary Student of the Month!
Eliza is recognized as the student of the month for being a kind and compassionate student who shows Jesus' love to those around her daily. She is a hard worker who continually tries her best and always faces challenges with a positive attitude. She goes out of her way to help her classmates and her teacher without being asked and does so selflessly. She is a friend to everyone and always acts in love. I am very proud of the student and the girl of God she is becoming!
Congratulations to Reed, the March ICS Middle School Student of the Month!
Reed is a hardworking, kind-hearted student who respects his teachers and peers. He has excellent leadership qualities, is always willing to help, and is friendly to everyone. Reed took a risk and participated in the middle school theater Christmas play, learning new skills and putting on a great performance.
Congratulations to Rebecca, the March ICS High School Student of the Month!
Rebecca is a senior who works hard in class and on the basketball court. She is also very kind to everyone around her and has become a leader and friend to underclassmen. Rebecca has been a mentor to her fellow athletes for every sport she has played, which has been one sport in each season for four years! We appreciate Rebecca's dedication and perseverance!
Kadance’s Artistic Odyssey — ICS Senior Arts Student Highlight
The art department at ICS exists to encourage students wherever they are in their capacity and skill to express their God-given creativity…
Kadance’s Artistic Odyssey — ICS Senior Arts Student Highlight
Senior Kadance Eagle has been attending Intermountain Christian School since her freshman year of high school. She has been interested in art for most of her life, going back to elementary school. Kadance enjoys using various mediums, but her favorites are acrylic painting and digital art. While creating using these mediums, she finds that mistakes are easier to fix.
Pictured: Kadance and Mrs. Lee
Kadance has taken every art class available to her since she started attending ICS. While in Mrs. Lee’s art room, Kadance has been challenged to do projects she wouldn’t consider on her own. The assignments have pushed her out of her comfort zone. She and a classmate worked together to create a cardboard animal head mount. She never would’ve taken on that challenge outside of Mrs. Lee’s prompting. Once completed, she took pride in her cardboard sheep!
Painting titled: Icy Ridges
Kadance’s favorite year of art was her junior year. All of the projects were her choice, and she was able to be creative and unrestrained. Her favorite project was the completion of her dragon sculpture, which used multiple mediums, including clay, fabric, and paint. The other project she was most proud of was a digital piece with a setting in Southern Utah and the inclusion of griffins. It was an effort to get the piece printed out and stretched onto canvas, but the final outcome was very satisfying!
Painting titles: Borzoi
The art department at ICS exists to encourage students wherever they are in their capacity and skill to express their God-given creativity. Kadance has goals of working in animation and hopes to attend the University of Utah, majoring in general arts and minoring in film studies with an emphasis in animation. Kadance credits Mrs. Lee with encouraging her through ups and downs in her pursuit of art.
Many students who have gone through Mrs. Lee’s art program came out not only with more skill and understanding, but an appreciation of who God made them to be and how to give Him glory through art. The ICS community looks forward to seeing what’s next for Kadance!
February 2024 Employee Spotlight - Ms. Jones!
Congratulations, Ms. Jones, the ICS January 2024 Employee Spotlight!
ICS February 2024 Employee Spotlight
Congratulations, Mrs. Jones, Registrar.
How long have you been at ICS and what do you do?
Pictured is Kim Jones, our ICS Registrar, with her son, Brayden from the class of '21, and husband, Craig.
I have been at ICS for 9 years and was hired in 2015 as an accountant. My current title is Registrar however, my job encompasses so much more than the title suggests. I would say for the elementary families whom I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting, my role is Registrar/Scheduler/Academic Administrative Assistant/FACTS/RenWeb Administrator and Graduation Program Director.
What brought you to ICS?
My husband's company transferred us to Salt Lake from Southern California and we were introduced to ICS through mutual friends who are alumni parents.
What is one encouraging thing that has happened at school recently that you'd like to share?
The ICS memory that I will hold in my heart forever is being invited by the class of 2023 to give their commencement address last year. I know the question was not about memories but I mention it because sometimes when a momentous moment like that passes, you can question your relativity to the students moving forward. I am encouraged because I was recently asked to chaperone the Music Retreat and God has once again encouraged my heart to trust His will for my ministry here at ICS.
What is your deep hope for your students and/or our school this year?
My Deep Hope for students is when their souls feel unsettled, when life's storms come, in the middle of chaos, failure, brokenness, striving for perfection, or the approval of others, in the middle of all the mess, that God would reveal His love for them so powerfully through me and others, that they would know their value is absolute, unchangeable, constant, complete, irrevocable. That they would believe in their worth so deeply that their spirit can be unleashed to change the world around them.
Meet Mr. McBride
ICS is thrilled to welcome Elijah McBride as the Marketing and Communications Director…
Meet Mr. McBride!
ICS is thrilled to welcome Elijah McBride as the new Marketing and Communications Director!
Elijah and his wife, Ellie.
Elijah was born in the West Bank and raised in Jordan. He moved to Texas in 2013. He went on to attend Dallas Baptist University, earning a degree in Entrepreneurship. Elijah has experience as a Marketing Campaign Coordinator, Video Producer, Agency Copywriter and Brand Strategist for various businesses.
While on a mission trip in South East Asia, Elijah met his wife, Ellie. They married in 2022 and welcomed their first daughter, Natalie, born in 2023.
Elijah is a gifted musician and plays the guitar, keys and performs vocals. He is involved in the worship ministry at Antioch Church.
Elijah is an avid outdoor enthusiast and can be found skiing, climbing, hiking or running in his spare time. He is very driven by purpose and loves to infuse mission with business. He holds a high value for missions, seeing beauty through art, nature and his church community.
We are excited to see how Elijah fits into the ICS community and works to market our school in the Salt Lake Valley! Welcome, Elijah!
Choosing ICS for Senior Year
Morgan Brown will graduate from ICS with the class of 2024. Morgan’s first day as an ICS student was also the first day of his senior year…
Choosing ICS for Senior Year
By Jennifer Adema, admissions director
Morgan Brown (pictured below) will graduate from ICS with the class of 2024. Morgan’s first day as an ICS student was also the first day of his senior year. He attended a charter school in the Salt Lake Valley from kindergarten through 11th grade. During his junior year, he became interested in making a switch, desiring a Christ-centered education. The reputation of the ICS community preceded itself, and Morgan wanted to be a part of it.
Morgan Brown (12th)
Morgan took no time adjusting as the “new kid” in the senior class; he was immediately warmly welcomed by the student body. Friendships were quickly solidified during the high school retreat at Big Canyon Ranch, and he has had no regrets in coming to ICS.
Once he began pursuing ICS, he discovered that he could have a very flexible schedule while completing the credits needed to graduate. Morgan’s schedule allows him to be off campus each Monday and Wednesday. During these days, Morgan works one of his two jobs: Chick-fil-A or a local daycare. When he is not in school or working, he enjoys rock climbing and hanging out with friends.
After he graduates high school, Morgan hopes to pursue a career as an electrician or intern in ministry. As he progresses into adulthood, he desires to grow in his faith and gain boldness in sharing his faith with others. He is an active member of Risen Life Church in Holladay. ICS welcomes students for the entirety of their school years, or just for a select year or two. Our staff is grateful for all the time students choose to spend in our classrooms, and we are overjoyed that Morgan chose to spend his senior year at ICS.
January 2024 Students of the Month
Congratulations to ICS’s January 2024 Students of the Month!
ICS January 2024 Students of the Month
Celebrate these students with us!
Congratulations to Codie C. (3rd), the January ICS Elementary Student of the Month!
Codie is a well rounded young man who works hard and plays hard. In the classroom, Codie joyfully collaborates with his classmates to accomplish activities and encourages those who may be struggling. His kindness is also evident on the playground where he can be seen actively competing at a high level in a variety of games without excluding others. Codie is the epitome of a community builder and we are blessed to have him as a part of the third grade class!
Congratulations to Benjamin W. (7th), the January ICS Middle School Student of the Month!
Ben has grown immensely as a student this school year! His teachers appreciate his commitment to his academics, especially math. Ben's teachers have also been impressed with his leadership and positive attitude. His drive in the classroom also carries over onto the basketball court. Ben is a team player and adds immense value to his team! Congrats, Ben!
Congratulations to Keaton O. (12th), the January ICS High School Student of the Month!
Keaton has proven himself as a hard worker in the classroom in AP Calculus this school year! He is positive and an overall great kid. Keaton is a strong leader on the basketball court and in student council. He is a solid role model in teaching his peers hard work and humility. This award reflects how he consistently treats people with kindness and respect!
January 2024 Employee Spotlight - Ms. Reed!
Congratulations, Ms. Reed, the ICS January 2024 Employee Spotlight!
ICS January 2024 Employee Spotlight
Congratulations, Ms. Reed, middle school science and STEM teacher
How long have you been at ICS and what do you do?
Ms. Reed
I've been at ICS for 1.5 years (since August 2022) and I mainly teach middle school science and STEM (plus a new computer programming class, a creative writing class, and a high school physics study group)!
What brought you to ICS?
I came to ICS to begin a teaching career after many years in academic research. It's been a joy getting to see middle schoolers learn and make science fun for them.
What is one encouraging thing that has happened at school recently that you'd like to share?
Something that I find encouraging is hearing that my students are learning to like science more, when they may not have been as invested in the subject before. I appreciate they're willing to give my favorite subject a second chance!
What is your deep hope for your students and/or our school this year?
My deep hope is to build foundational knowledge, encourage creativity, and promote perseverance by engaging with God's world, resulting in increased awe and wonder of our Creator.
Glorifying God through Competition
In a culture where winning is everything, the ICS athletics program aims to teach our students how to glorify God, honor Christ, and serve others. Our student-athletes have lived out our mission this year in many ways…
Glorifying God through Competition
By Randi Hillaker, athletic director
ICS high school cross country team prays together before a meet.
This year in athletics we are working on achieving our department’s mission: “to create opportunities for student-athletes to glorify God through competitive excellence while honoring Christ and serving others.” In a culture where winning is everything, the ICS athletics program aims to teach our students how to glorify God, honor Christ, and serve others. Our student-athletes have lived out our mission this year in many ways.
After a volleyball game in early September, a player from the opposing team suffered an injury while leaving our school. After confirming she had help, members of the ICS team didn’t hesitate to begin praying for her. No teacher, coach or parent asked our athletes to pray. Rather, their hearts were evident in their immediate action to pray for an injured peer.
“In serving and loving each other well, ICS athletes are honoring God, giving him the glory for their wins, and learning through the losses.”
Keaton O. (12th) pitches during his senior year season on the ‘23 ICS baseball team.
Our baseball team recently faced an opponent that was very inexperienced. The school had not had a baseball team in 15 years. When set to play ICS, they had never played baseball and had only practiced once. We quickly took the lead, but remained humble and encouraging toward the other team. A player was sent in to pitch that needed more pitching experience. ICS’ pitchers took the time to provide practice and pointers to the new pitcher. Other Lions offered tips to their catcher as well. This team’s coach was very grateful for our understanding and encouragement. He commented that he was sure they would not meet another opponent this season who would be more willing to help his team improve.
Within ICS’ teams, there is a noticeable effort to build one another up and solidify relationships. They regularly serve each other on and off the field. In serving and loving each other well, ICS athletes are honoring God, giving Him the glory for their wins, and learning through the losses.
Alumni Spotlight: Amber Furze, Class of 1990
Before Amber Furze was an ICS board member and ICS parent, she was an ICS student! Amber was part of ICS’ beginnings and joined the student body in the year it was founded, entering 5th grade in 1982.
Alumni Spotlight: Amber Furze, Class of 1990
By Jennifer Adema, director of admissions
Before Amber Furze was an ICS board member and ICS parent, she was an ICS student! Amber was part of ICS’ beginnings and joined the student body in the year it was founded, entering 5th grade in 1982.
The Furze family. Back, left ro right: Caleb (10th), Mr. Furze, and Wyatt (8th). Front, left to right: Lucas (6th), Amber, and Noah (11th).
Amber credits her parents with seeing the need for Christ-centered education for their own children and other Christian families in the Salt Lake Valley. Amber’s parents desired an education with Christian values, where the Bible was taught by Christian teachers. Because of a few visionary families, ICS came into existence, and Amber has been a part of it since the start.
Butch and Judy Cosgrove are Amber’s parents and are a large part of the legacy of ICS. The Cosgroves served the school community by cooking for many auctions and fundraisers. Judy taught at ICS while Butch coached basketball for 20 years! Butch received a “Friend of the School” award for his years of faithful dedication to Intermountain Christian School.
After graduating from ICS with the class of 1990, Amber received an associate’s degree from Salt Lake Community College. She then went on to Westminster College where she earned her bachelor’s in nursing. Amber had wanted to be a nurse since she was a young girl.
Amber gave her life to Christ as a child. While attending ICS, Amber was encouraged to continue her walk with the Lord. She appreciated the Bible classes that she took while at ICS.
Amber’s senior portrait at ICS (1990)
The Furzes have four boys currently at ICS in grades 6th, 8th, 10th and 11th. She homeschooled the boys for years. Three years ago, as the boys were getting into more difficult subjects to teach, she considered ICS. She started with the two older boys as they were entering 8th and 9th grades. The very next year, all four Furze boys were a part of the ICS student body.
The choice that the Furzes made to attend ICS was affirmed after their first parent teacher conference. The Furzes left feeling grateful for the love the teachers showed for their kids. They believe that the teachers at ICS truly know and love the students.
ICS is grateful when alumni see the value in their Christ-centered education and want to provide the same to their children!
ICS lady lions basketball team in 1990. Amber is in the back row, fourth from left (#22).
December 2023 Students of the Month
Congratulations to ICS’s December 2023 Students of the Month!
ICS December 2023 Students of the Month
Celebrate these students with us!
Congratulations to Lydia B. (1st), the December ICS Elementary Student of the Month!
It is a joy to teach Lydia! She is a servant worker, always wanting and willing to help others in need. Lydia fits her name meaning, a worshipper of God. Lydia is a positive example and encouragement to her peers. She comes to school with a good attitude and joyful heart! She is a great friend to all those around her. We are thankful to have Lydia in our class!
Congratulations to Sydney V. (8th), the December ICS Middle School Student of the Month!
Sydney always has a positive attitude and is a great role model to others. She recently was not able to perform at the Expo with the dance team because of a serious injury, but through it all, she kept a positive attitude and was an encouragement to her team. Because of Sydney's hard work to get her stamina back, recall choreography, and jump back in 100%, she was able to join us for dance chapel the following week. The MS teachers appreciate her and her heart to serve the Lord through her attitude and work ethic!
Congratulations to Josh H. (9th), the December ICS High School Student of the Month!
Josh is very respectful and attentive in class. He's a consistent, diligent worker and great friend to his classmates. He loves to be involved in his community and carries out our TfT throughline of being a "Community Builder" on a daily basis. One of Josh's gifts is including others and his teachers appreciate this at work in the classroom!