Trigg County High School’s Wildcat Gymnasium was used less for dodgeball and more for career and personal development Tuesday morning and afternoon, as nearly 200 freshman and sophomores had to socially navigate “The Amazing Shake” competition.
In rapid-fire succession, their challenges were many, and included 15 specific stations geared toward challenging their professional bubble.
This included:
— A corporate interview.
— A visit with a travel company.
— An impromptu dinner party toast.
— An Oscar’s Speech, in which they learn mid-thanks they were misinformed.
— A test of table etiquette.
— A pep talk.
— A sales pitch on “Snap & Fresh,” a drink that nourishes and brushes one’s teeth.
— A restaurant manager discussion.
— A movie theater debacle.
— A locker-room interview.
— A short cooking show.
— A birthday celebration.
— A “Project Amazing” clothing makeover.
— A tough conversation.
— And a chance to host “The Tonight Show.”
Average scores were taken of stations completed, and by Wednesday morning, 50 students will move into a professional mixer scenario, where they will be whittled to even fewer through tough interviews before a final group will embrace public interviews Thursday with News Edge Director’s Alan Watts — an overall winner then declared.
Inspired by Atlanta’s Ron Clark Academy, teachers Matthew Harper, Cheryl DeYeso and Mikayla Hopson have been hard at work developing this soft skills soiree, and Harper noted this first-ever effort launched in the correct direction.
DeYeso said RCA typically runs close to 100 kids through their “Shake” challenges each year, so double the students proved to be double the fun.
Hopson said students were “relatively prepared” for the competition, but had scant details on the challenges — and had to spend their spare time readying themselves for real-world, quick-thinking discussions and problems.
Among the many talent evaluators, most of local repute and stature, included Trigg County Class of 2005 graduate Frank Russell.
A Kentucky State Police Trooper for the last 11 years, he’s now located in Laurel County’s London, and constantly puts effort in recruiting talent across the Commonwealth.
He wanted to put eyes on his Alma mater and its talent once again, and he wished something like this had been available all those years ago.
Conversation continues about “The Shake” becoming a yearly event.
