Fulton County Ohio Media

https://photos.app.goo.gl/btLn4axPPF738Zg87

With the help of a large number of volunteer judges, many from the local business, academic and professional community, the Swanton Seven Initiative (SSI) Program held the first round of the Amazing Shake Competition for all of its seventh-grade students this past Wednesday morning.  The SSI Program, now in its sixth year, was inspired by the National Amazing Shake Competition that is held every year at the acclaimed Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Georgia.  It was introduced to the Swanton Middle School (SMS) by then principal Matt Smith and implemented by Mr. Smith, Assistant Principal Leigh Pancoast (current principal) and the rest of the faculty at SMS.  It proved to be so successful, the Ohio Middle Level Association (OMLA) selected, for its two most prestigious annual awards, Swanton Middle School (SMS) as the 2020 Team of the Year and SMS Principal Matt Smith as the 2020 Educator of the Year. 

The Amazing Shake is a competition that focuses on building soft skills in students, placing strong emphasis on manners, discipline, respect, and professional behavior. To demonstrate these skills, students worked their way through “The Gauntlet.” There were seven stations in “The Gauntlet” and each put students’ abilities to the test. Each student had to show great poise and confidence in personal interactions as well as exhibit effective management skills.

The Gauntlet stations included a “Dining Drive,” which required students to be able to courteously place an order, interact appropriately with a waiter, and use proper dining etiquette.  The “Interview Alley” and “Conversation Circle” tested the students’ communication skills as they answered questions in an interview setting and engaged others in conversation.  In the “Know the News” and “Faces in the News” stations, students were assessed on their knowledge of important world events and their ability to recognize influential people in the world.  “Appointment Alley” judged the students communication skills in three real life situations that he or she may encounter over the phone.  Lastly, “Dress to Impress” the students focused on professional attire and presenting themselves in a positive light as well as tying a dress tie around their neck.  As each student approached a judge at every station, they were expected to deliver a “winning” handshake.

Scores were totaled and 20 students were chosen to move on to the next round which will take place later this month at the Anderson’s Corporate Headquarters in Maumee.  Eventually, one winner will be selected and will be sent to Atlanta to compete in the national competition at the Ron Clark Academy next year.  The Ron Clark Academy is a highly-acclaimed, non-profit middle school that has received both national and international recognition for its success in creating a loving, dynamic learning environment that promotes academic excellence and leadership.

The top 20 students this year are, Dixie Anderson, Ariana Jacomet, Layla Carver, Dylan Haselman, Weston Weber, Colton Aytes, Gavin McFarland, Alex Smith, Lukas Mendenhall, Kylie Kania, Sofia Aguirre, Lily Foster, Makennah Schuchman, Raegan Rominski, Gracelyn Peebles, Kaylie Graham, Skye Rosebrock, Gabe Haselman, Michael Massey, and Lathan Wilson.

Click on the link above to access photos from the competition. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

Photo: Credit SMS. Top 20 moving on