Local fifth grade girl competes at global level

One local fifth grader got to showcase her real-world skills at a global competition in Atlanta.

Amilia Sloan, a fifth grader at the Arts Academy at Bella Vista, competed at the Ron Clark Academy Global Amazing Shake recently, and it was an experience she said she'll never forget.

According to the RCA, the Amazing Shake places an emphasis on teaching students manners, discipline, respect, and professional conduct.

"It kind of puts kids in professional situations as well as uncomfortable situations just to see how they would respond," Phillip Lemke, AABV Principal said.

Sloan was tested in different scenarios such as calming down an angry crowd as a manager, winning an Emmy but then being told she actually didn't win the award during her acceptance speech, and even being interviewed for a job and learning how to keep a conversation going.

"What I'm most proud of is being the first representative of New Mexico at the Global Amazing Shake," Sloan said in a video the school made to document her experience.

Lemke said the AABV just recently started the contest and when Sloan won in February, the school came up with the funds to send her, her mom, and the assistant principal to Atlanta.

The students Sloan competed against were from all across the country and world, most of which were seventh and eighth graders, according to Rica Smith, AABV assistant principal.

"This is going to make a positive change for Amilia, because she's able to engage with people she's never spoken to before and she'll try to find ways that she can relate with different people from all walks of life," Jordan Cote, Sloan's mom said in the video.

Sloan said she got to meet Ron Clark himself, and that it was one of the best experiences ever.

"I was starstruck," Sloan said.

While Sloan didn't make the top 50, she got a shoutout from the judges because of how well she stood out amongst the competitors.

"I think it's a great accomplishment for coming from such a small community and being able to stand out in front of hundreds of people," Cote said.

Lemke said he's looking forward to next year and that they've got a lot of improvements to make.