A-C School Holds Second Amazing Shake

On March 10, 2026, Arvada-Clearmont school held their second Amazing Shake contest, designed to strengthen students’ leadership, professionalism, and communication skills.

Last year’s Amazing Shake included a series of real-world scenarios that students might encounter after high school, including a traffic stop, interviews, a formal dinner and even an acceptance of an award.

This year the event was stream-lined some, and the coordinators decided to concentrate on the interview process. One of the coordinators of the event, elementary teacher Jonathan Broersma, explained,

“We wanted to really focus on the interview process for our gauntlet,” he added.

Last year the judges were asked for feedback on the contest.

Each student had around two minutes at each station to answer the interviewers questions.

Jennifer Betz, Assistant Principal and Coordinator of the event,

“This experience goes beyond academics. It intentionally develops the communication and leadership skills that are critical for success in college, career, and life. The involvement of our community and industry partners makes this event especially meaningful and authentic.” She said.

The interview stations contained questions on the different aspects of a student’s expertise. Station 1: Teamwork and Collaboration : students were asked to talk about a group project at work or in class where someone’s working style was very different from yours. How did you adapt, and what happened? Describe a time at work or in school when there was some conflict. What role did you play in helping fix it, and what did you learn?

Station 2: Leadership and Influence – Give an example of when you stepped up and took the lead at work, on a school project, club event, or team activity without anyone asking you to. What made you do it? How would you try to motivate a group of colleagues, classmates, or teammates who seem bored or unmotivated on a long project?

Station 3: Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking – Students were asked to explain how they usually tackle a really tough problem, project challenge, or puzzle that feels overwhelming at first. Was there a time you had to make a decision (at work, for a school event, group project, or even a personal choice) when you didn’t have all the information you wanted.

Kristine Mantey, Sheridan College Business Faculty, was one of the interviewers.

Station 4: Adaptability and Resilience – Describe a situation where you had to quickly learn a new skill or tool to meet a deadline or goal. How did you do it? How do you normally bounce back and keep going when something unexpected goes wrong?

Station 5: Communication Skills – There were asked about a time you had to explain a complicated idea for work, a class, a project, or a hobby to someone who didn’t understand it at all. How did you make sure they got it? How would you prepare for and handle an uncomfortable conversation, like giving feedback to a group member or talking to a supervisor about an issue?

Station 6: Innovation and Creativity – Share an example of a creative or new idea you came up with for a job, a school project, club event, or activity. How did you develop it and get others on board?

Station 7: Ethics and Values – Describe a situation at work, in school, a club, sports, or with friends where you faced a difficult choice or dilemma. What did you do? What would you do if you noticed a colleague, classmate, teammate, or friend doing something you believed was unfair or wrong?

Station 8: Time Management and Prioritization – When you have several projects, assignments, tests, and activities all due around the same time, how do you decide what to tackle first? Tell me about a busy period when you were juggling work, schoolwork, clubs, sports, or other responsibilities. What strategies helped you stay on top of everything?

Station 9: Motivation and Career Aspirations What personally gets you excited and motivated to do your best? Give a specific example. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years, and what are some things you’re doing right now to move toward that?

Two students, TyLynn Smith and Chloe Mauck talked about the Amazing Shake and their own Career Aspirations.

Smith:

Smith added that she made it almost to the final round last year, and she plans to study vet science and become a veterinarian. She plans to volunteer with at a Veterinarian Hospital this coming summer and eventually attend the program at Colorado State University.

Station 10: Self-Reflection and Growth How do you ask for and use feedback from supervisors, teachers, coaches, classmates, or friends to get better at something? Think back to a mistake you made at work, in school, on a project, or in an activity. What happened, and what specific changes did you make afterward?

Chloe Mauck said she was so grateful to the school for putting this on,

After the students finished the interviews, they ‘Worked the Room’ which meant the judges were scattered through the school library room, and it was up to each student to approach one judge and chat briefly with them. The judges then gave them a score based on how well they did. The score was based on how the student approached the judge; did they interrupt another conversation? Did they make eye contact? Did they have a firm handshake, and did they find a way to exit the conversation easily.

Al Sparkman, Principal of Valor Academy in Sheridan, was one of the judges at this year’s contest.

Afterward, the judges were invited to join the students for lunch in the cafeteria.

Eight students went on the final round. The winner of the contest will be announced at the Panther Claw Ceremony on March 18. They will be presented with the Amazing Shake Belt and have bragging rights for the rest of the school year.