Kosciusko Middle Elementary held its Shake it Up skills competition Thursday.
The competition helps teach students important skills needed in making a positive first impression.
“This [competition] teaches kids life skills and other skills they will need as they move forward in school and eventually in their career,” said KME Principal Chris Terry.
To prepare for the event, students were given pamphlets outlining how to make a first impression by remembering the acronym S.P.E.C.I.A.L., which stand for Shake Hands, Posture, Eye Contact, Charm, Introduce, Ask a Question, Lean in and Listen.
A special panel of judges was brought in to evaluate students on four different criteria: introduction, smile/charisma, handshake, and eye contact.
Students rotated to each judge where they were rated on a scale of 1-5 for each category.
The winner of Thursday’s competition was 2nd grader Emma Dunlap. She received the highest possible score.
For wining the competition, Dunlap received a medal, $50 cash, and will get her name engraved on a plaque that hangs outside the school office.
A competition for third graders will be held in May.
Judges for Thursday’s Shake it Up competition were:
- Tony Holder – Kosciusko Attala Career Tech Center
- Curtis Turnbow – Ivey Mechanical
- Angel Albin Macdonald – State Farm Insurance
- Robert Hawkins – Wal Mart
