International student earns JMCHS’ highest award

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Gabriel Ambrose

SALT LAKE CITY — Among the outstanding members of the Judge Memorial Catholic High School Class of 2024 is Gabriel Ambrose, an international student described as a leader and inspiration in every respect to students and staff. He is one of this year’s recipients of the Christ the King Award, the highest award the school bestows on a senior who best represent the ideals of Judge Memorial.

Ambrose, a native of Malaysia, arrived in Utah and “dove right into being a student at Judge,” Principal Patrick Lambert said. “He immediately tried out for the musical and got involved in other extra-curricular activities. … Within a year of being at Judge, he was voted the senior class president.”

Ambrose has a contagious enthusiasm and drive, Lambert added. “He is the kind of individual that others want to be around. It has been wonderful to watch his positivity spread throughout the student body.”

In addition to receiving the Christ the King Award, Ambrose was among the 10 graduates who took First Honors, given to those recognized for achievement in AP and Honors courses. He also was presented with the 2024 Academic Excellence Awards for men’s dance and mathematics (AP statistics).

His time at the school provided many opportunities, Ambrose said.

“Judge has served as the crossroads of both my academic and extracurricular aspirations,” he said. “By serving on the student council as the senior class president I am given countless opportunities to lead initiatives such as the Make-A-Wish fundraising week and theater fundraiser.”

His passion for the arts and sports were a big part of his journey at the high school, he said. “I was a part of the men’s dance team led by the incredible Ms. [Lehua] Estrada, and am an avid member of the musical theater cast,” he said.

In addition, “I was encouraged to pursue a new sport in lacrosse, inspired by team captain Will Yarrish and coach Jeff Brzoska. … Being able to strike connections like these that push me to try all the things that Judge has to offer, thriving on the challenge and being roared on by fellow teammates and cast members, has made Judge felt like a family,” Ambrose said.

He vividly recalls the first time that he went to the Judge campus because he received a warm welcome from Ken Hoshino, the school’s international student department director.

“Meeting Mr. Hoshino, as I stepped foot into the Judge Memorial building, enshrined in rich history, for the first time, I was immediately filled with a sense of safety while being determined to try my hardest as I am forever indebted to him for believing in me and bringing me from the other side of the world to be a part of this community,” Ambrose said, adding his thanks to his host family.

“The Poppe family has taken me in as if I am their own son,” he said. “As we play card games around the dinner table or sing together in Mass, this experience is truly a gift from God and one that I am forever grateful for.”

With diploma in hand, Ambrose plans to attend the University of San Diego to pursue studies in computer science and pre-med. He hopes “to merge the world of artificial intelligence into the medical field,” he said, and “attending a school with a focus on service such as USD will be a natural step for me to take after my service-focused activities at Judge.”

Being kind is a choice, he said. Hate has four letters, and “so does love. You can choose to smile at anyone, be kind to anyone; it takes the same amount of energy to hate. So choose to love.”

Ambrose’s presence at Judge helped to broaden people’s perspectives on different parts of the world, Lambert said. “Most of our students have never traveled to Malaysia, but they now have a friend from there. Gabe has opened the hearts and minds of those around him. He has made our school a better place.”