A student holds out his hands while explaining directions to a man dressed as a pirate

William Austin, a 7th-grade student at Robert D. Johnson Junior High (Clark County), tries to explain directions to a volunteer who dressed and acted like a pirate during The Amazing Shake Competition. Photo by Joe Ragusa, Kentucky Department of Education, Feb. 24, 2025

(WINCHESTER, KY) – For William Dunaway, a 7th-grade student at Robert D. Campbell Junior High (Clark County), the moment a pirate asked for directions to Walmart was one of the highlights of his week.

It was one of the many challenges Dunaway faced during the Clark County Amazing Shake Competition, where students worked through a series of scenarios designed to sharpen professional skills. Dunaway guided the pirate, played by a volunteer for the district, with a creative map and earned points for his energy and confidence.

“We had to draw a picture in his mind to find a way to get there. His voice was just really funny, and it was just really fun to help somebody,” said Dunaway. During this section, students were scored on personality, energy, body language and, of course, an amazing handshake to close out the interaction.

The Clark County Amazing Shake Competition, held annually, brings together students in 5th-8th grades to develop and demonstrate key life skills. This year, the event took place Feb. 24-28, with the first round hosted at Robert D. Campbell Junior High, called The Gauntlet. 

“This just gives you more experience of just like, speaking with other people, so you’re not as nervous whenever you’re old and you can just crush an interview,” Dunaway said. “This just helped me learn that I’m able to persevere and able to get through anything that’s in my way.”

The Clark County school district has worked to develop the Portrait of a Clark County Learner by creating competencies that all students will have when they graduate from Clark County Public Schools. Amber Murphy, an instructional specialist with the Clark County school district, said The Amazing Shake Competition is an opportunity for students to practice competencies through mock professional experiences to help build confidence and skills to prepare the students for their future endeavors.

Throughout the competition, students faced a variety of scenarios designed to assess their ability to stay composed and professional in unexpected situations. During The Gauntlet on the first day, participants rotated through 20 stations, each lasting one minute while showcasing different scenarios. One station was an Oscars acceptance speech, where students were scored on appreciation and enthusiasm. In another station, the students were scored on their ability to persuade the judge to purchase a home in bad condition. One station featured a presidential press conference, where students had to address pressing issues like the potential TikTok ban and post-pandemic educational challenges while being scored on poise, confidence and staying focused.

Students were prepared beforehand for some of the stations, while other stations required students to think on their feet.

“Math, science, social studies; all of those things are important, but even past that, we want all students to have certain skills that they carry with them into their future profession … they are going to have to be able to adapt,” Murphy said.

A student stands behind a podium that has the White House seal on it while looking at a crowd of people

David Hatton, a 6th-grade student at Baker Intermediate School (Clark County), answers questions during the presidential press conference portion of The Amazing Shake Competition. Photo by Joe Ragusa, Kentucky Department of Education, Feb. 24, 2025

Participants competed in a different event each day of the week each focusing on a different competency of the Portrait of a Clark County Learner. The second round, titled Work the Room, consisted of 60 students engaged in timed conversations with judges, demonstrating professionalism, communication and adaptability, emphasizing the Resilient Learner competency. Round three, the Circle of Doom, consisted of 30 students answering questions under pressure in front of judges, testing quick thinking and composure while showcasing the Engaged Citizen competency. In round four, Countdown Games, 15 students collaborate to “break out” of a scenario, demonstrating accountability and teamwork, highlighting the Committed Collaborator competency. In the final round, the Final Interview, the top eight students discuss their competition experiences in an interview, focusing on personal growth in the Empowered Leader competency.

The competition is a requirement for 7th and 8th graders, and they must complete a qualifying project in class, such as creating a newscast about the Aztecs, Incas or Mayans, or developing a sales pitch for the 13th colony. The 5th and 6th graders participated in the competitions voluntarily to get a head start on the development of their skills.

“It was really fun. I felt very connected to these people, and I feel like this event will help children feel courageous in themselves and their business skills also,” said Callie Fleming, an 8th-grade student and first-time participant after transferring from another school district. “This event helped me to collaborate with people in a professional setting and I feel like that will set me up for a career eventually.”

The Portrait of a Clark County Learner and the statewide Kentucky Portrait of a Learner, developed by the Kentucky Board of Education, both emphasize the development of essential life skills like communication, problem-solving, collaboration and resilience, which are put to the test during The Amazing Shake competition. Students were challenged throughout the event to think on their feet, stay composed under pressure and work collaboratively with others in unfamiliar situations.

“One of the challenges I faced was not feeling prepared enough for one of the memorization aspects of the round such as the news part … I just made eye contact with the judge, and it just helped me to connect with her more as well as the people who may have been watching on the side,” Fleming said.

Murphy said The Amazing Shake is more than just a competition; it’s an opportunity for students to develop and refine skills that will serve them well in their academic and professional futures.