By Ben Deck

For the Daily News

A group of Beaufort County educators and community members are collaborating to send a group of students to a national competition in Atlanta in early February.

The event is the Amazing Shake competition, and it is put on by Ron Clark, an acclaimed educator who runs the Ron Clark academy in southwest Atlanta. Clark attended Beaufort County schools as a child and taught in Beaufort County earlier in his career. Clark reached out to Alicia Vosburgh, principal of Chocowinity Primary School, in mid-December and invited her to bring a team to the competition. Clark also pledged to cover the application fees for the team. The competition is Feb. 9-11.

“Ron is an inspiration,” Vosburgh said. “I’m thrilled that the children are getting this opportunity.”

The Amazing Shake is a competition that places an emphasis on teaching students manners, discipline, respect and professional conduct, according to the competition website. The goal is to prepare students so they are able to present themselves exceptionally well for opportunities today as well as those that will come in the future.

Prior to the competition, students learn the nuances of professional human interaction as they are taught skills such as how to give a proper handshake, how to “work a room,” how to give a successful interview and how to remain composed under pressure, according to the website.

The competition is open to middle school students, and although Vosburgh’s students at Chocowinity Primary are not eligible, she didn’t want to pass up on the opportunity. Time was short, she said, so she reached out to nearby Chocowinity Middle School to see if a team could be assembled.

Students from Chocowinity Middle and P.S. Jones Middle School are taking part in the competition, Vosburgh said.

“I am truly ecstatic that some of our students have been provided the opportunity to participate in this competition,” said Kimberly Gibbs, principal of Chocowinity Middle School. “It would be wonderful if one of our students won this competition but even if they don’t, this experience will make them a better student, a better person as well as better prepared for the world we live in today.”

The educators are also collaborating with members of the community who are acting as mentors and coaches. Those community members include the following, according to the educators: Casey Brighton, a financial advisor who is covering how to make a good first impression; Robin McKeithan, who is representing Bright Ideas and the Washington-Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce, covering the importance of community service; Cherri Howdy, who is covering dinner etiquette; Tim Ratliff, a Southside High School history teacher, who is covering current events. Laura Bilbro-Berry, of the East Carolina University College of Education, David White, dean of the East Carolina University Honors College, Doug Schneider, an East Carolina University professor, and Jan Hill, of Vidant Beaufort Hospital, also are providing mentoring opportunities for students.