For the third year in a row, Hayes Intermediate School has challenged students to put their soft skills, confidence, and professionalism to the test in the annual Amazing Shake competition. Designed to help students develop essential life skills—such as strong verbal and non-verbal communication, poise under pressure, and demonstrated interpersonal abilities—the event has become a highly anticipated Husky tradition. Each year, participating fifth and sixth graders showcase their charisma, confidence, and adaptability through a series of interactive rounds.
A Test of Poise and Professionalism
The Amazing Shake is a multi-round competition designed to prepare students for real-world interactions by immersing them in scenarios that require quick thinking, social grace, and strong communication. The competition unfolds in three rigorous rounds:
- Round One: Social Skills Improv – Students were placed in various social scenarios, engaging with community partners one-on-one for 60 seconds. Their ability to navigate unfamiliar situations with poise, charisma, and confidence was evaluated.
- Round Two: Interview Round – The highest-scoring students from Round One moved on to a fast-paced, round-robin interview session. Each judge asked a unique question, testing students’ ability to think on their feet and articulate thoughtful responses.
- Round Three: Working the Room – The top 15 students participated in a networking-style challenge, interacting with multiple community judges to make positive impressions and demonstrate strong conversational skills.
Throughout the competition, students were assessed on key criteria such as eye contact, handshake quality, articulation, reasoning, and overall presence. By the end of the day, one student was crowned the Amazing Shake champion, but all participants left with invaluable experience that will serve them for years to come.
This year’s winner
Following all three exhaustive rounds of competition, ultimately it was sixth grader Addy Howard who emerged as the 2025 Hayes Intermediate School Amazing Shake winner. Congratulations Addy!
Leadership Through Service
New this year, the event placed a greater emphasis on community engagement by incorporating service-based activities alongside the competition. As students advanced through the rounds, they worked collaboratively to create handmade blankets and assemble blessing bags filled with essential items for donation. This addition not only reinforced the values of empathy and generosity but also provided students with a meaningful opportunity to develop leadership and teamwork skills while making a positive impact beyond the competition.
Recognizing Excellence
At the end of the competition, all students were recognized for their hard work and dedication. This year’s Amazing Shake champion was celebrated for their outstanding performance across all three rounds, exemplifying confidence, charisma, and professionalism.
Hayes Intermediate School is proud of all participants for stepping outside their comfort zones and rising to the challenge. Special thanks go to the dedicated community judges, volunteers, and PTA members who helped make this event possible.
The Amazing Shake continues to inspire students to develop essential life skills, and with the addition of a community service component, this year’s competition was more impactful than ever. We can’t wait to see what next year brings!
A Community Effort
The success of the Amazing Shake is made possible through the dedication of community partners, volunteers, and local businesses who lend their time and expertise to help judge the event. Their involvement provides students with a real-world audience and reinforces the importance of professionalism and strong social skills in their future careers.
A special thank you to all of our judges, PTA volunteers, and supporters who have contributed to the Amazing Shake over the years. Your time and commitment help empower our students to grow into confident, capable individuals ready to take on the world.
More Than Just a Competition
While the Amazing Shake is a competition, its true impact extends far beyond the event itself. Students walk away with enhanced communication skills, increased self-assurance, and a deeper understanding of how to conduct themselves in various social and professional settings.
This year’s addition of the service project only further enriched the experience, reinforcing the values of kindness and community responsibility.
We are incredibly proud of all the students who participated and can’t wait to see how the Amazing Shake continues to grow in the years to come. Great job, Huskies!
SW Insider 