Pittsburg, PA
Amazing Shake competition puts students’ social skills to the test
We all want to make a good impression and have the best opportunities. Some ambitious kids are showing us we can reach those goals with something as simple as a handshake.
Several middle schools in Pittsburgh are starting clubs and classes based on what’s called the Amazing Shake. It’s a program for students aimed at developing life skills and enhancing social interactions. There are also regional and national competitions where these skills are showcased.
Students from Harvest Baptist Academy in Natrona Heights are the next generation of movers and shakers, do-ers and leaders. And they’re engaging in a little competition based on simple communication.
“Leaders need to be well-spoken. This is all about talking and thinking on your feet. People won’t follow someone who’s not able to talk and think on their feet,” said seventh grader Kate Blakeslee.
It’s a program called the Amazing Shake, developed at the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta. It’s now in Pittsburgh at a few schools that created clubs that incorporate the unique curriculum.
“Most people, nowadays, are on their phone, their tablet, or whatever, texting, and when they get out there to the real world, they can’t talk,” said sixth grader Emmett Tang.
So now it’s devices down, eyes up and hands out.
“We want them to understand you need to look somebody in the eye when you talk to them,” said development manager and coordinator Linda Miller. “You need to have a firm handshake and you need to be able to have a conversation with them, right? Just day-to-day things.”
From the mechanics of a proper handshake to how to work the room, the competition consists of stations where fifth through eighth graders put their manners, respect, professionalism and personality to the test.
“Last year, I came in, I could not present in front of anyone at all. But I have grown a lot since then, and I feel like I’m a lot more confident in myself now. I’ve seen my classmates come in really really shy and then come out just, like, new. They have this new confidence about them. They can do this. They can win this,” said eighth grader Joviaunah Moore.
We all navigate these things in the real world from a customer service encounter to a doctor’s visit — and what if you get pulled over by the cops? They even elevate the experience with a mock TV appearance and a red carpet interview.
When it comes to making change, the Amazing Shake hits its mark. Watch for these dynamic young leaders to make their mark in our communities, sooner than you think.
The overall winner was Kate Blakeslee, who gets to have dinner at the Grand Concourse and a tour of Acrisure Stadium. They’re all winning, in our book and can certainly inspire all of us adults too.
One of Pittsburgh’s biggest goals before hosting the NFL Draft was to modernize Market Square. It is just one of the spaces in the downtown area that is being transformed for the massive event.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
Posted
2026 NFL Draft Pittsburgh regional transportation plan unveiled
With the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh quickly approaching, city officials and Pittsburgh Regional Transit unveiled its regional transportion plan.
Extensive road closures will be in place around Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium from April 22-25 as the 2026 NFL Draft brings three days of excitement and football fans into the city of Pittsburgh.
During NFL Draft events, the city’s Downtown and North Shore areas will convert to a walkable “Draft Campus,” with motorized traffic limited to Pittsburgh Regional Transit vehicles, the city’s light rail system (the “T”) and other official providers.
Therefore, many streets into and around the “Draft Campus” are closed to vehicle traffic starting April 22. Traffic patterns will be adjusted to allow Pirates fans to access PNC Park for baseball games held during the road closures, according to NFLDraftPittsburgh.com.
In addition to these streets, the Interstate 279 and Interstate 579 High Occupancy Vehicle lanes into the city are closed to vehicle traffic all week; only authorized bus traffic and emergency vehicles will be permitted to use those lanes.
People planning to use the Beaver County Transit Authority bus to reach downtown Pittsburgh for the NFL Draft events can find more information about the authority’s bus service plans on the BCTA website.
Here is the list of road closures in place from April 22-25, according to NFLDraftPittsburgh.com, which has a complete guide to getting into and around the city during NFL Draft events.
- Art Rooney Avenue
- West General Robinson Street to Tony Dorsett Drive
- Scotland Avenue
- Casino Drive, from Sproat Way
- North Shore Drive, from Chuck Noll Way
- Reedsdale Street to Tony Dorsett Drive
- Chuck Noll Way
- Tony Dorsett Drive
- Sproat Way
- Allegheny Avenue from Ridge Avenue
- North Shore Drive, from Chuck Noll Way to Mazeroski Way
- Mazeroski Way
- West General Robinson Street
- Lacock Street, from Federal Street
- Federal Street, from Lacock Street
- Merchant Street
- I-279 southbound exit 1B ramp
- I-279 northbound exit 1B ramp
- Route 65 southbound ramp to Fort Duquesne
- Route 65 northbound ramp from Fort Duquesne Bridge
- T1 ramp from Reedsdale Street and Ridge Avenue
- Sixth Street Bridge, aka the Roberto Clemente Bridge
- Seventh Street Bridge, aka the Andy Warhol Bridge
- Isabella Street
- Sixth Street
- Fort Pitt on ramp, from 10th Street Bypass and Fort Duquesne Boulevard
- Commonwealth Place
- Liberty Avenue extension
- Penn Avenue, from Stanwix Street to 9th Street
- Liberty Avenue/PPG Paints Arena exit off the Fort Pitt Bridge
- Smithfield Street Bridge
Pennsylvania’s 511PA.com online transportation website will feature a special NFL webpage providing real-time traffic information in and around the city during the NFL Draft.
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