Interpersonal skills don’t just develop on their own, they have to be practiced. That’s why Gravette Middle School GATE students spent half a day immersed in The Amazing Shake, a hands-on competition that challenged them to lead, communicate, and think on their feet in realistic social situations. The event took place at the Gravette Civic Center, where the main hall was transformed into a series of small, themed vignettes—each one designed to test seventh graders in high-pressure, face-to-face interactions.
A student firing Superintendent Jeff Gravette as part of an Amazing Shake challenge.
The stations together formed “The Gauntlet,” a centerpiece of the Amazing Shake competition. Students navigated one challenge after another: handling an angry customer at a coffee counter, answering mock press questions at a podium, and being tasked with firing an employee in a simulated office environment. “Giving the speech was the hardest part,” said 7th Grade Participant Ellie Jones, “but I reminded myself it was a great opportunity. I just wanted to do my best.” She added that learning how to make a strong first impression was a lesson she’ll carry forward—because, as she put it, “That’s what people remember.”
School Board President Chris Flynt plays the role of judge as a GMS student defends against a fictional truancy accusation.
Meanwhile, it was the eighth grade GATE students who orchestrated the entire experience. From concept to execution, they designed the sets, recruited volunteers, and served as event hosts, gaining leadership experience of their own. “It gave them a lot of autonomy,” said GATE Director Rachel Gibson. “They had to approach a major project with deadlines and specific expectations, using everything we’ve worked on. Things like communication, planning, time management, leadership. And they did it far better than I could’ve done on my own.”
The Gauntlet was just the beginning. After that, students entered the Circle of Doom, where a panel of judges hit them with rapid-fire questions, testing their poise, clarity, and critical thinking under pressure. In Work the Room, they engaged with unfamiliar adults in unscripted conversation, practicing eye contact, listening, and the kind of presence that leaves a lasting impression. “In a regular classroom, we move quickly through content,” Gibson said. “This was different. It gave students a chance to stop, step into something real, and practice what we always say are important skills but rarely get time to develop.”
Students take part in Work the Room, making conversation with professionals like Gravette Upper Elementary Counselor Tina Robinson.
Every interaction was observed and scored by a panel of adult volunteers, comprised of teachers, staff, parents, community members, and district leaders. Some of the volunteers held roles of such visible authority that their presence alone would raise the stakes even for the most self-assured grownups. “It took ten adults stepping in and giving up half a day to support our students,” said GATE Director Rachel Gibson. “They’re involved in so much already, and for them to say, ‘Yes, I’ll do this too,’ means a lot. It gives us a solid foundation to grow the event, and I think they enjoyed seeing a side of the students they don’t always get to see.”
Assistant Superintendent Rebecca Andrews speaking with two students in the "Work the Room" challenge.
Judges scored the students for each event in several categories from 1-10. This made the feedback tangible and specific. They walked away not just knowing how they performed, but exactly how to improve. “Feedback is essential,” said Gravette Amazing Shake Judge and Assistant Superintendent Rebecca Andrews. “Even just knowing what they’re being judged on, getting direct feedback helps students reflect, grow, and improve.”
Gifted and Talented Education students often excel in academic settings, where their intellect, creativity, and problem-solving abilities shine. But success in the classroom doesn’t always translate to ease in social or professional interactions. The Amazing Shake offers students a different kind of challenge, one that shifts the focus from academic knowledge to human connection. It asks them not just to know the right answer, but to express it with confidence, adapt to social cues, and build rapport with people they’ve never met. “Research shows a common gap between students’ cognitive ability and their social-emotional development,” said Gibson. “They’re advanced thinkers, but they don’t always have the life experience to match. This kind of experience helps bridge that gap.”
7th Grader Ellie Jones taking part in "The Circle of Doom."
Ellie Jones took home first place in the local competition, followed by Francis Frenzel in second and Boston Briggs in third. Looking ahead, Gibson is working with the Lighthouse Team at Gravette Upper Elementary to introduce Amazing Shake to fifth grade students. “We’re already thinking about how to expand this,” she said. “The younger we start, the stronger these skills become.”
The Amazing Shake event at the Gravette Civic Center was a proving ground for poise, a rehearsal for adulthood, and a reminder that professionalism is a skill that requires active training. The event handed out real-world pressure, in small, manageable doses, to students who are still learning how to carry themselves.
A student pitching a product to a panel of adult volunteers.
But for five of these seventh graders, the trials aren’t over yet. Emily Bright, Seceda Childres, Annabell Croasdell, Frankie Frenzel, and Ellie Jones will represent Gravette at the Northwest Arkansas Amazing Shake, held Friday, April 11, at the Jones Center in Springdale. The students will depart Thursday afternoon and spend the next day competing against top performers from across the region in an expanded version of the same intense, interpersonal rounds they faced at home. Let’s cheer them on as they show the region the professionalism of the Gravette Lion Pride!