Ridgeview Elem. teaches professional skills at first Amazing Shake Competition

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) – Students at Ridgeview Elementary in Washington County, Tennessee put their professional skills and conduct to the test Wednesday.

The school held its first Amazing Shake Competition, which emphasizes teaching students manners, discipline and professional conduct.

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Nearly 80 Ridgeview students participated in the competition, which was originally created by the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta that taught skills such as the importance of a firm handshake.

Local professionals, including some from News Channel 11, interacted with students who were put through challenges and exercises at different stations. At each station, students had two minutes to show off their best tact and performance to score the highest points.

Stations gave students tasks such as delivering remarks in a press conference, being interviewed and even firing employees.

“This has been such a great opportunity for all the kids to really learn and showcase these skills from Ron Clark that we’ve talked about,” said Ridgeview house leader Bailey Newland.

The top-scoring students moved on to the next round, which included interacting with executives and delivering speeches. Twelve students participate in the final round, and the winner will be revealed Thursday.

“You don’t know what’s coming,” Newland said. “And they kind of just test you to see how well you’ve paid attention to these skills. Have you paid attention to the eye contact? Have you really paid attention to your handshake? And they’re kind of like scoring you on how well you showcase that. I do feel that this has prepared me because you’re just going out there, you’re not prepared for this.”

Newland said her favorite station was the pizza delivery, wherein students knocked on a door to drop off an order.

“I think that was fun to work with customer service and kind of just make up my own little funny story,” she said.

Another popular station among students was the one run by Pal’s Sudden Service. In the scenario, students were tasked with firing an employee.

“The most challenging one was probably the Pal’s firing the worker because I didn’t have background on why I was firing this worker,” Newland said. “So I kind of had to make it up in my head. I had to make it up as I went. So I just had to make up a random excuse on why I was firing this guy.”

Newland said her main takeaway from the experience is to be confident in professional settings.

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