MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS ‘SHAKE’ THINGS UP AT INTERACTION CHALLENGE

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January 15, 2024

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here. 

(FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE)

Local business leaders lend expertise at The Amazing Shake competition, which focuses on teaching youths social competency skills and business acumen. 

PONTIAC, Mich. (January 15, 2025) — Next month, Notre Dame Prep’s middle school will host its fourth annual Amazing Shake, a whirlwind two-day event designed as a fun way to teach students etiquette and the social competency skills necessary for success both inside and outside the classroom.

One of the first things young professionals learn as they head out from college to the working world is that a firm handshake is essential for success in business — and life. A firm handshake makes a good first impression. A firm handshake can open doors.

The Amazing Shake will take place on Feb. 6 and 7, where more than 200 sixth, seventh and eighth graders will spend the day working the room, negotiating business deals, making presentations and, yes, earning points based on charisma, confidence, poise under pressure, common sense, eye contact, and their handshake.

"We are very excited to host this event at our school," said Brandon Jezdimir, principal of Notre Dame Prep’s middle school. "It's a huge opportunity for our kids to learn many of the hard and soft skills necessary for success outside of the classroom."  

Twenty-five stations will be set up in the gym at Notre Dame Prep for the first round of the event. Middle-school students begin by running through the stations with scenarios ranging from a guest appearance on a TV talk show to a press conference and even proposing a business deal for downtown Detroit. 

Some of the local businesses participating in this year’s event include Randy Wise Automotive Team, Noor Pharmacy, American Machining INC., Powerhouse Gym, NFP, DePorre Veterinary Hospital, DOBI Real Estate, Imprezza, The Silver Shamrocks, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, DFCU, D'Agostini Companies, Honigman, General Motors, KPMG, Trion, Taubman Realty Group and Pica Marketing Group.

On Feb. 10, the top 60 students proceed to round two, called “Circle of Doom,” and on Feb. 11, "Work the Room," and a “Debate,” where 15 of the professional volunteers will dive even deeper into interviewing and assessing the students. The top five students will then proceed to the Randy Wise Automotive Team in Fenton, Mich., where they will pitch a new marketing plan to Wise Vice President Chris Wise. The top three will proceed to the final round, “HR Corporate Interview.” Ultimately, one sixth, seventh or eighth grader is declared the winner and he or she will be registered to compete in Atlanta to represent Michigan against the top performers from around the world at the global competition in March.

"We can't wait for Feb. 6 and 7," Jezdimir said. "It's going to be a fun and productive day for our kids. A huge thank you to the parents, volunteers, businesses and business leaders who have been working tirelessly since last fall to ensure the overall success of the program and make this event possible with their overwhelming support.

ABOUT THE AMAZING SHAKE
Modeled after The Amazing Shake at the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Ga., the Notre Dame Prep version is a dynamic and exciting live competition that rallies leaders and role models in the school’s community together to teach students about professional skills for success. For more information, visit ndprep.org/amazingshake.

ABOUT NOTRE DAME PREPARATORY SCHOOL 
Notre Dame Preparatory School is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. Notre Dame Preparatory School's upper school enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame Prep's middle and lower schools enroll students in pre-kindergarten through grade eight. All three schools are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDP is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the National Association of Independent Schools. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School, visit the school’s home page at www.ndprep.org.

For media inquiries:
Mike Kelly
Director of Marketing
mkelly@ndpma.org
248-972-7346

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here.

Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org

About Notre Dame Preparatory School
"At Notre Dame Prep, we inspire our students to become the best versions of themselves. We challenge them through an experience of academic excellence, focused on active, project-based learning. We invite them to explore a world of opportunities beyond the classroom. We guide them as they grow in spirituality within a community strong in its Catholic and Marist identity."

Notre Dame Preparatory School is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. Notre Dame Preparatory School's upper school enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame Prep's middle and lower schools enroll students in pre-kindergarten through grade eight. All three schools are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDP is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the National Association of Independent Schools. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School, visit the school’s home page at www.ndprep.org.