Confidence in a Handshake: 4th & 5th Graders Take On The Amazing Shake!

Our 4th and 5th grade students recently took part in The Amazing Shake, and what an incredible experience it was! Based on a program developed by the Ron Clark Academy, this competition is designed to teach and test real-life skills in a fun, fast-paced, and highly engaging format.

From the moment the event began, students were challenged to step outside their comfort zones. They were asked to shake hands, make eye contact, carry on professional conversations, and navigate scenarios like:

“You just won an award—give your acceptance speech!”

“Sell me this car!”

“Shark Tank—pitch me your product!”

Many students were understandably nervous at first. It’s not easy to strike up a conversation with someone new or give a speech on the spot! But as the day went on, we saw students pushing through their nerves, growing in confidence, and genuinely enjoying the experience. The transformation was inspiring.

These kinds of events are so important—not just for public speaking or professionalism, but for developing poise under pressure, problem-solving, and the ability to adapt to new situations. The more students practice these real-world interactions, the more comfortable and confident they’ll become. We’re proud to say our students rose to the challenge.

We are deeply grateful to the high school students, community members, and staff who helped make this event so impactful. Your time, energy, and encouragement made a difference, and your willingness to mentor helped shape the experience in powerful ways.

As we look ahead, we’re excited to see this program grow. With even more volunteers and community engagement, we can continue building confident, capable future leaders—one handshake at a time.

Thank you again to everyone who supported this event. The Amazing Shake gave our students memories, lessons, and motivation that will stick with them for years to come.