BERKSHIRE: Wildcats shine at Amazing Shake regional

Students from Berkshire Middle School showcased their professional prowess at the Michigan Regional Amazing Shake competition recently by demonstrating poise, character and networking skills that left school officials beaming with pride.

The regional event, held in Grandville, saw eight of Berkshire’s top 10 contestants advance to the top 40, with three students — Arno Ter-Azaryan, Gianna Carr, and Olivia Smith — breaking into the top 15. Carr's exceptional performance secured her a coveted spot in the top 10.

“We couldn’t be more proud of how our students carried themselves,” Berkshire Principal Jason Clinkscale said. “The Amazing Shake and the Gauntlet event are a fun, innovative way to teach students some of the skills they will need to develop business acumen and begin to build their career path.”

Amazing Shake, now in its third year at Berkshire, aims to equip 7th and 8th graders with essential professional conduct skills. It introduces students to networking, opportunity identification, and team building — all crucial elements for their future careers.

At the heart of the competition lies the Gauntlet, a 34-minute challenge where students navigate a series of stations, each presenting a unique real-world scenario. This fast-paced obstacle course tests their ability to think on their feet, communicate effectively, and maintain composure under pressure.

“At Berkshire, we believe character education is important,” Clinkscale added. “This event encourages our young students to be thoughtful about the skills they’ll need to cultivate successful business and professional relationships.”

The competition’s format mirrors the professional world’s demands, requiring students to dress for success and present themselves confidently before a panel of judges. Top performers earn the chance to compete at the regional level, as demonstrated by Berkshire’s finalists in Grandville.

As these middle schoolers return to their classrooms, they carry with them not just accolades, but invaluable experience that will shape their approach to future professional challenges. Amazing Shake continues to prove that preparing for the business world can indeed start at a young age, one handshake at a time.