Trigg County High School’s Third Annual “Amazing Shake” competition returned this week — opening Tuesday with quick-hitting stations in Wildcat Gymnasium, before Wednesday and Thursday challenges thin the herd to an ultimate champion.
A staple of Atlanta’s Ron Clark Academy, the three-day effort would daunt even the most capable adults, as soft skills get hardened through one-on-one interviews, improvisational challenges, rigorous resume reviews and pointers on eye contact, extemporaneous speaking and — you guessed it — a handshake.
Now, imagine more than 85 freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors running this gauntlet — in hopes of becoming a better version of themselves.
Typically tapered to fit younger, less-sure students, that wasn’t the case this year.
Mikayla Hopson, Trigg County’s Interact director and a local educator, is once again its lead organizer, and she noted these social games were opened up to undergraduates and soon-to-be Class of 2026 celebrants — many of which have prior experience, and wanted to do it again.
Excitement for it, she said, brimmed early.
In order to better prepare and tailor the field, Hopson added that one major prerequisite had to be met.
Wednesday, to be held in The Little Theatre, is for “Work the Room.”
Thursday, she added, will have 13 students take front-and-center stage for one-on-one public interviews with The Edge Media Group — hidden proctors in the audience critiquing body language, composure, eye contact, answer content, poise and more, before a winner is chosen.
Finalists will have 5-to-7 minutes each and will answer a variety of questions, and this round should run from 12:45-2:45 PM, again at The Little Theatre.
