Chalfin Stakes Claim As Third Annual ‘Amazing Shake’ Champion

What’s more important: happiness or achievement?

What kind of person do you refuse to become?

What do you hope our country looks like 15 years from now?

It’s these, and many more, questions 13 finalists answered Thursday afternoon in the Trigg County High School Little Theatre — on the way to determining a champion of the Third Annual “Amazing Shake.”

In the end, a 20th cousin of President Abraham Lincoln took the crown — Ella Chalfin barely, just barely, edging Lydia Redd for the soft-skills competition’s top nod.

Last year, she was in the top three out of 200-plus contestants, and this year, she was the best in nearly 90.

In fact, Chalfin credits not only her classmates and her extracurricular activities as key motivations, but her job in Eddyville — as Venture River Water Park serves her more than just a splash in the summer.

Chalfin called this a “tough competition,” and she noted that everyone at Trigg County High School is working diligently to be “work- and career-ready” as graduation gets closer by the day.

What was tougher, however, was competing against friends and peers. Of the top-five finishers, four of them were sophomores: Lydia Redd, Holly Britton and Lexie Valentine. Only Milly Reynolds, a junior and another returnee, was older.

It’s her belief that Trigg County’s Class of 2028 could be great, after providing stellar performances both last and this year in this grueling three-day gauntlet.

She thinks her class is “professional, hardworking and more mature” than some would think.

Others reflect

Trigg County High School’s Third Annual “Amazing Shake” brought with it more than just a superb, winning effort from Chalfin.

It also brought on four other top finishers in Redd, Reynolds, Britton and Valentine — and a host of finalist who all had their moments.

Redd was looking for redemption from last year, where a “super nervous” final interview was remembered, then forgotten, as she channeled a riveting finale filled with composed answers, off-the-cuff thinking and attention to details.

One particular part of the final round opened her eyes.

Reynolds, meanwhile, has competed in all three iterations thus far, with full intentions of making another run at it in 2027 — using the skills slalom as a way to build up her young resume.

Reynolds also noted that it was particularly difficult this year because there were several DECA members who made it to the final round, and “knowing what everyone is capable of” added an extra edge.

To remove the sharpness and clear all minds, Reynolds said the final group prayed together for comfort.

For Valentine, it was her first time in the challenge, and she found the experience unique and special.

The “Amazing Shake,” they said, also does several things the average classroom doesn’t, and, truth be told, can’t.

+ It introduces them to other classmates in a unique setting.
+ It brings them closer to local volunteers and business leaders they may not otherwise get to meet.
+ It opens up the possibility of learning specific skills students don’t typically receive in the classic educational setting.
+ And it takes them into creative, thoughtful spaces that have direct and indirect real-world application.

Britton, meanwhile, was the 2025 defending champion, joining Sydney Bryant and Chalfin as the school’s first three victors. She and Chalfin now have a win and top-four finish for their early college and work resumes.

This year’s top five winners will each receive a valued, personalized educational care package from the Cadiz Rotary Club — ranging from specified electronic devices, all the way down to notebooks, pens and other ancillary materials.