The Amazing Shake builds interpersonal skills for Holy Trinity students

*East Campus Principal Jon Temple addressed the finalists in The Amazing Shake Thursday before the final competition.*

Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students at Holy Trinity Catholic School’s east campus participated in The Amazing Shake, a contest designed to improve interpersonal skills.

Inspired by the Ron Clark Academy program, the school introduced the program in 2024 for the first time. Over a day-long event, students participate in several challenges scored by judges from the local business and professional community.

Every student in the school took time to shake hands and introduce themselves to judges Thursday morning. Judges scored students on specific criteria, including handshake quality, eye contact, posture, and overall presentation. After the initial rounds, only the top 24 students advanced to the afternoon competition, which featured impromptu speeches.

The finalists had two opportunities to pitch judges on four different subjects; promoting their school, taking a stance on a statement, selling an item, or making a case for a charitable donation. Judges again scored them on their presentations.

“It’s really a way to get these kids familiar with talking to people, making eye contact instead of over social media or email or texting,” explained Andrea Hurm. “It gets them ready for job interviews and things like that.”

The competition originated from a visit to the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Georgia. The academy, known for innovative teaching approaches, inspired the school to adapt the program to fit their smaller scale.

*Lorlelie Nealy, Zoe Zehr, Olivia Reckelhoff and James Seger prepared their pitches for the judges. Each student had one minute to prepare the talking points for their one minute presentation.*

Preparation for the Amazing Shake begins months in advance during the school’s weekly meetings in the class’s houses. Instead of traditional grade-separated homerooms, students from all three middle school grades combine into houses where they remain for their entire middle school experience.

Eighth graders serve as house leaders, teaching lessons and guiding younger students through various activities including team-building exercises and competitions like kickball and tug-of-war.

During weekly Thursday house meetings over the past few months, students focused specifically on greeting etiquette, conversation skills, and asking engaging questions rather than giving simple yes or no answers.

Preparation intensifies as the competition approaches. The week before, students participated in a practice session with school staff and community volunteers.

“I saw some nervousness and some anxiety, even with my own kids, but when the rubber hits the road, I saw a lot of confidence today; a lot of kids stepping up to the challenge,” said Principal Jon Temple. “And I think in the end, they enjoy it.”

He explained that before the event, his prayer with the students was that they understand it is a learning experience and just to have fun.

*Judges congratulated Olivia and Allison on their win.*

In the end, last year’s champion, eighth-grader Olivia Reckelhoff, retained the title, and seventh-grader Allison Cruz was named runner-up.

Reckelhoff said she enjoyed learning these life skills and saw them as necessary for her future. “I also enjoy a little competition,” she added with a smile.

Cruz said she felt that being professional while allowing judges to see her personality helped with the relational aspect of the competition. “They want to get to know you as a person and not just hear some script,” she said.