Description: Students will run through different scenarios to demonstrate their skills, including critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, adaptability, etc.
Grade Levels: 3-4 / 5-6
Registration Deadline: October 20, 2025
Registration Link:
October 27 (3rd/4th) – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5TMWSWW
November 3 (5th/6th) – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7289FRM
Date: October 27 / November 3, 2025
Limited to 4 students per school per day (ideally 2 per grade), with a cap of 20 students per session.
The Handshake Competition will be split into two days for the different grade levels – 3rd and 4th grades will compete on October 27, and 5th and 6th grades will compete on November 3. Each day will have two sessions, one from 9am – 11am and another from 12pm – 2pm.
This day will be flexible for lunch. If you would like to eat in our Acansa Dining Hall, our buffet-style cafeteria at a group rate of $8 per person, you will need to mark it in the registration form. We will scan students in around 11am for the break between sessions. You are also welcome to pack your lunch or make separate plans on or off-campus to eat.
This is a new competition for us, inspired by The Amazing Shake. Below are some general rules/guidelines for our competition as well as the scoring rubric.
Here is a video from our college students with helpful tips –
This will be a fun day of practice and learning for everyone! Students will get to roleplay their scenarios with professionals from various fields who will give them verbal feedback post-scenario. A student will spend half the time going through scenarios and half the time participating in a group activity.
Dr. Philip Tew, PhD / JD 