It all begins with a handshake.

In the heart of Central Valley Christian Middle School, a unique tradition is taking root. It is the annual Cavalier Shake competition, an event that has become a beacon of excitement for CVC Middle School’s 7^th-graders and new 8^th-graders. But this is no ordinary competition. It is a transformative journey that goes beyond handshakes and etiquette. It shapes young minds, instills confidence, and builds character.

The Cavalier Shake is not about memorizing facts or acing exams. It is a celebration of soft skills, those intangible qualities that set you apart in a crowd. This unique competition is inspired by The Amazing Shake, which is held annually at the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, GA.

This competition is built on equipping students with poise, presence, and purpose. Students learn to carry themselves gracefully and confidently, maintaining eye contact and exuding charisma. They develop the ability to command attention by speaking eloquently, listening actively, and adapting to diverse situations. The Cavalier Shake encourages meaningful conversations, pushing students to connect authentically.

At the middle school, CVC's teachers focus on preparing their students weeks before the event, molding them into confident communicators. They honed monologues, taught conversation bookends (how to start and end conversations confidently), and even dove into the art of debate. 

Picture this: students practicing eye contact, saying "thank you," and perfecting handshakes. The teachers even scored each handshake on a scale of 1 to 100, with 50 being a perfect score. They were taught how to navigate a room gracefully, engage in impromptu yet meaningful conversations, and solve real-world challenges. 

As this year's competition kicked off, the 168 middle school contestants found themselves in a whirlwind of mock interviews, networking sessions, and role-playing scenarios. They engaged with professionals from various fields – all pillars of the community. These interactions were genuine exchanges that challenged the students to think independently. The competition consists of eight intense rounds over the course of two weeks, each designed to test different aspects of the participants' abilities. 

Students were judged on key soft skills, including handshakes, body language, conversational abilities, and overall demeanor. Each skill category received a score on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 representing the highest proficiency. Handshakes were evaluated based on firmness, eye contact, and duration. Body language assessments considered factors like fidgeting, eye contact, and using facial expressions during conversations. Conversational skills were appraised for vocal clarity, the use of engaging questions, and grammatical accuracy. Lastly, presence and politeness were assessed by examining interruptions, student engagement, the expression of gratitude upon departure, and overall authenticity and enthusiasm.

The Rounds:

The Three-Minute Challenge

The first round is a three-minute challenge where all 168 students engage in ten 3-minute conversations with community leaders. Each volunteer scores on the student's handshake quality, eye contact, body language, and engagement abilities. This round tests their ability to think on their feet and articulate their ideas clearly and concisely.

The Gauntlet

In the second round, students run the gauntlet, facing 20 challenges that require thinking on their feet. Challenges range from performing a 40-second monologue in front of a live camera, being a travel agent designing the perfect vacation for a client, or posing as the Press Secretary explaining the rationale of raising the legal driving age limit to 18 to a group of angry reporters in the White House. This round tests their ability to respond quickly and accurately under pressure.

Work the Room

The third round, "Work the Room," requires students to interact with various industry partners in a social setting. Their job is to converse with as many of them as possible within a 30-minute time limit. They get scored on each conversation that they have. This round tests their interpersonal skills, including active listening, empathy, and the ability to engage in meaningful dialogue.

After the third round, the top 52 students will continue to the next rounds.

Answer One Question

In the fourth round, the remaining 52 participants are given one question to answer on stage in front of an audience of peers and parents. This round tests their ability to provide thoughtful, well-reasoned responses. Some of the questions included, "What is your greatest strength, and how does it help you succeed academically?" "Abraham Lincoln said, 'The best way to predict your future is to create it.' What do you think he meant by that?"

The Debate

The fifth round is a debate among the final 24 participants, split into groups of six students. They discuss issues that affect them, such as school uniforms and cell phone policies. This round tests their ability to construct and present persuasive arguments and listen to and refute opposing viewpoints. 

Working Lunch

The sixth round, a working lunch with the final 12 participants, tests their ability to balance social etiquette with business discussions. They go to Schuil Ag Real Estate for a working lunch under the premise that eight of them would be hired. This round assesses their ability to maintain professionalism in a casual setting.

One-on-One

Interviews In the seventh round, the final eight participants undergo one-on-one interviews. They guest-star on their very own CVC talk show, opposite 2020's winner, Kacie Roark. This round tests their ability to present themselves professionally, answer questions effectively, and engage in meaningful conversation. She prompted them with questions about their experience, such as: "How do you think this experience will help you in the future? What will be beneficial about this experience in the coming year?" Some rapid-fire questions were more fun: "If you had to do karaoke right now, what song would you sing? "If you won a million dollars, what's the first thing you'd buy?"

In the Spotlight

The final round puts the final four participants in the limelight. It is tradition to have the prior year's champion be one of the judges. They engage in a presidential-style debate with former Shake champion Emerson Kroeze. This round tests their public speaking skills and ability to perform under pressure. 

Some of the topics included, "We've got a large audience out here who might not know each of you. What is one story about yourself that you could quickly tell that would help all of us get to know you and your personality?", and "Social media use is at an all-time high. This past week, the CEOs at some of the major social media networks testified in Congress about some of the issues associated with young people's use of social media. It raises the question of whether social media is a good thing or a bad thing. What's your take? Pick a side and back up your opinion with a solid, factual argument."

2024's Cavalier Shake Champion is 7^th grader Ellie Davis! The top four students, Ellie Davis (7^th grade), Blake Stockton (7^th grade), Addison Stockton (7^th grade), and Ian Corrales (8^th grade), got the opportunity to travel to Atlanta to compete in the National Amazing Shake competition this March! 

As the competition wrapped up, the students showcased their newfound skills. They delivered speeches, engaged in impromptu debates, and demonstrated unwavering confidence. The grand finale was a testament to their growth.

CVC is dedicated to nurturing responsible Christian adults. The Cavalier Shake prepares students for success in high school, college, and beyond, aligning with CVC's mission to equip hearts and minds to transform the world for Christ. This competition empowers these students to make a positive, Christ-guided impact on the world.

So, if you happen to be at CVC during the Cavalier Shake next year, keep an eye out for these remarkable individuals. It is more than a competition; it's a celebration of the potential within each student.

As we reflect on the success of the 2024 Cavalier Shake, we extend our deepest gratitude to all who made this event possible. To our dedicated teachers, parents, and community leaders, we thank you for the support and encouragement you showed. Your contributions are invaluable to these students, and we look forward to your support in years to come!