PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
EDGERTON E.D.G.E. TOP FIVE … Top five finishers in the first annual Edgerton E.D.G.E. competition are from left, Cyreniti Rogers, Palmer Nester, Bristol Mohler, Leighton Showalter, and Layla Lawrence. Showalter was the winner of the competition with Mohler finishing runner-up.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
Thirty sixth-grade students at Edgerton Elementary School recently had the opportunity of stepping outside their comfort zone and demonstrating confidence, professionalism and growth.
More importantly, they showcased important real-world skills in the first annual Edgerton E.D.G.E. competition held on Thursday, May 14, with the winners being announced at the sixth-grade year-end awards assembly program held on Tuesday, May 19 in the elementary gym.
E.D.G.E. stands for Edgerton Developing Greatness Everyday where students participated in three rounds of competition ranging from interviewing skills, lunch etiquette, social skills, public speaking, and presentation skills.
Elementary principal Lucas Smith said the concept of getting the Edgerton E.D.G.E. competition started was something that he was familiar with in his years when he was a teacher and coach at Hicksville.
“It’s very similar with the Amazing Shake in which they (Hicksville) got from the Ron Clark Academy in Georgia,” said Smith. “We kind of wanted to take that concept but then make it fit Edgerton.”
Smith admitted that how much fun the sixth graders had was kind of a surprise — not to him, but to the students.
“This is something they have never done before and you see the confidence and the joy and experience knowing ‘hey I did it’,” said Smith.
The E.D.G.E. competition began with the first impressions and interview process in which all thirty sixth graders participated.
Following the first round, the top ten students advanced into the second round, where they were taken to Sam’s Place in Blakeslee for lunch while showing their etiquette and social skills at the same time.
“We start with the interview process and a lot of times in the corporate business world, they might go out to lunch and that’s a part of the interview process,” said Smith.
“We wanted to put the kids through something similar. Also, they might have to give a speech or presentation in front of the interview committee.
“We try to incorporate the things they might experience in the real world to try to build those skills for them to be prepared in the future.”
Following the luncheon, the top five candidates advanced into the third and final round, public speaking and presentation skills.
Students demonstrated their communication skills and presentation abilities to judges from local agencies and businesses who had volunteered for their time and expertise throughout the day.
This year’s top five finalists were Cyreniti Rogers, Palmer Nester, Bristol Mohler, Leighton Showalter, and Layla Lawrence. They were all recognized at the assembly.
Smith announced that Bristol Mohler finished as runner-up and Leighton Showalter as the winner of the first annual Edgerton E.D.G.E. competition.
“I’m hoping that they take the lessons learned from it,” pointed out Smith.
“They look at what they could have done better at, and they applied that moving forward.
“One of the big things is that they seek ways to put themselves in uncomfortable situations. The feeling you get when you do something new and the confidence you get, I want them to be a part of their DNA.”
PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
EDGERTON E.D.G.E. TOP FIVE … Top five finishers in the first annual Edgerton E.D.G.E. competition are from left, Cyreniti Rogers, Palmer Nester, Bristol Mohler, Leighton Showalter, and Layla Lawrence. Showalter was the winner of the competition with Mohler finishing runner-up.