Valley View 6th graders spent a morning conquering a gauntlet of scenarios to showcase their confident handshakes, strong eye contact, active listening, and poise under pressure.

A group of a dozen volunteers staffed 14 stations in the gym, with students spending roughly 90 seconds responding to scenarios like hosting a cooking show, giving an Oscars speech, delivering a pep talk, graciously accepting a bad gift, walking a runway, planning a family trip, and dining etiquette.

The program, called the Amazing Shake, is a competition created by the Ron Clark Academy and customized for Valley View. The event and student lessons beforehand were organized by Montgomery Educational Service Center (MCESC) career navigator, Carita Bass and Nichole Thomas, Valley View’s director of Curriculum and Instruction.

Addressing students as the finalists were announced, Nichole Thomas praised students for their “grit, grace and gratitude,” throughout the event. More than 140 students participated in the Amazing Shake.

The finalists, who were given points for their ability to adapt quickly to each scenario while speaking professionally, included:

  • Camden Massie

  • Emma Swartzel

  • Daniel Wielgus, Jr

  • Alexander Izor

  • Sophie McNeely

  • Maggie Riegel

  • Wednesday Goodloe

  • Cassandra Hensley

  • Aster Williams

  • Jovee Grilliot

  • Cobe Henson

  • Laylah Lister-Beckham

  • Hadley Phillips

The finalists will go on the next round, networking in a room of Germantown Lions members at the Creamery while enjoying hot chocolate and doughnuts. A final pair will test their conversation skills and dining etiquette during a meal at the Florentine with district superintendent Andrea Cook and treasurer Valorie Hill.

Career Connected Learning

The Amazing Shake is part of an ongoing Career Connected Learning initiative by the State of Ohio. Valley View is working to bring career readiness activities and events to every student at least once a semester. This includes career fairs and job readiness assessments.

The State Report Card is now measuring schools on College Career Workforce Military Readiness (CCWMR). Valley View earned four stars in 2024, the most recent readout. The assessment measures ACT participation, honors diplomas, military enrollment, apprenticeships, and work-based learning.

© 2026 Twin Creek Times

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