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.

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.

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!