USP news is where you can find a lot of exciting blog posts about USP students and staff. Learn about students who stormed Princeton during Moot Courts. Read Audrey’s story about being nominated for the US Presidential Scholars in Arts Award. You can also learn how to apply for the USP program.
USP news is just a small sampling of the wonderful achievements students have accomplished. Be sure to check back often for USP news throughout the school year.
PALCS USP Students Work to Reshape Our World
Several PALCS University Scholars students have envisioned a better world and have been working in various ways to help others. We are very proud of the following students and their efforts.
USP Community Building Day
On Saturday, November 17, 2017, the University Scholars Program (USP) held their 10th annual Community Building Day at the Advanced Ideas Center (AIC) in West Chester, PA.
USP Moot Court Teams Compete and Win at Princeton
On Friday, April 28, 2017 several PALCS University Scholars Program (USP) Moot Court Teams traveled from all over Pennsylvania to Princeton University for a two day tournament. USP sent 7 teams total to compete, which is the most ever for the program. Each team consisted of 2 students, and we could not be more proud of the 14 students who competed. We are so happy to announce that one of our very own teams took first place out of 63 teams!
PALCS Student Reaches Semifinals in Geo Bee
On Friday, March 31st, PA Leadership’s very own 7th grade student, Danny Gauntlett, competed in National Geographic’s Pennsylvania Geography Bee (“Geo Bee”) in Harrisburg, PA. Students around the country in grades 4-8 who met the criteria were invited to compete. This was Danny’s 2nd time competing at the Geo Bee; he once competed when he was in 4th grade at his previous school and is looking forward to competing a final time in his 8th grade year. This year, he made it all the way to the semifinals and PALCS could not be more proud!
USP Mock Trial Team Engages in Friendly Competition
On Thursday, March 30th, at PA Leadership’s Advanced Ideas Center (AIC) in West Chester, 4 middle school mock trial teams met and competed in the annual Friendship Tournament. The University Scholars middle school team, coached by Mr. Pat Parris, tied for second place at the tournament.
PALCS Academic Team Progresses to Semi-Finals
The PALCS high school Academic Team has just finished their regular season in the top half of all high schools in the highly competitive Chester County League. Their season is over just yet; the team is now headed to the semi-finals in February.
PALCS USP Mock Trial Team Takes Third
PALCS is proud to announce the University Scholars Program (USP) mock trial team who won 3rd place at the 7th annual La Salle Blue & Gold Invitational Mock Trial Tournament on January 14th and 15th, 2017.
Student Spotlight: William McGregor
PALCS student William McGregor has been selected as a National YoungArts Foundation Merit Winner. William is 16 years old and in 11th grade here at PALCS. He is a member of the University Scholars program (USP) and has attended the Juilliard Pre-College program in NYC for the past eight years studying the double bass.
PALCS USP Student Competes in International Science Fair
12th grade PALCS University Scholars Program student Ralph Lawton won 2nd place overall in Biomedical Sciences at the INTEL International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) held from May 9-13, 2016 in Arizona. This was Ralph’s 3rd time competing at the weeklong science competition, and as a part of his 2nd place award, for his outstanding project, MIT will be naming an asteroid after him!
PALCS USP Students Compete, Win County Science Fair
On Monday, March 7th, six PALCS University Scholars (USP) students participated and won accolades in the Chester County Science Research Competition: 8th graders Edith Bradley, Amaya Douglas, Hannah Phillips, and Noah Rubien; 9th grader Gaea Lawton; and 12th grader Ralph Lawton.
USP Mock Trial Team Competes at LaSalle University Tournament
The students of the PALCS University Scholars Program Mock Trial Team kicked off the season with a weekend tournament at LaSalle University on January 16th and 17th. The event is the first in a series of tournaments and competitions that will culminate for our team at the Chester County Courthouse in late January or early February (dates pending). The tournament serves as a great opportunity to test out the teams’ case theories, practice objections and courtroom decorum, and give rookie team members a chance to compete for the first time.