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.