Earlier this year, seventh graders across Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools participated in the Amazing Shake — a global, high-impact leadership competition created by the Ron Clark Academy.

On Feb. 20, nine students — who Executive Director of Career and Technical Education Eric Summerour dubs as the “CMS 9” — were selected to advance to the Amazing Shake Global Finals in Georgia from March 27-29 where they competed against more than 500 students from around the world with what Summerour described as “grace and grit.”

The nine finalists include Arianna Arnette, Albemarle Road Middle School, Avery Brown, Jay M. Robinson Middle School, Elijah Corbett, McClintock Middle School, Noah David, Jay M. Robinson Middle School, Bianca Enriquez, McClintock Middle School, Harper Kuehnle, First Ward Creative Arts Middle School, Adeline Reilly, Bailey Middle School, Serena Samara, Jay M. Robinson Middle School and Abhinav Sandeep, Rea Farms STEAM Academy.

Following the “Gauntlet” and “Work the Room” challenges on Day 2, Sandeep, David and Corbett consistently ranked in the Top 25. David and Corbett advanced to the Top 50 and competed on stage on Day 3 of the Amazing Shake Global Finals. In the end, both David and Corbett placed in the Top 12 with Corbett finishing ninth overall.

Corbett also earned the Survivor Leadership Award for his positive spirit and commitment to encouraging and supporting others throughout the event.

“Every one of our students represented Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools with excellence,” said Summerour. “The Ron Clark team shared tremendous praise for our district’s regional program.”