By PAUL KEDINGER

Managing Editor

Aaron McClasky admits when he applied for a job at the Rayne Sonic, it had been at least ten years since he had strapped a pair of roller skates on his feet.

But since he joined the carhop crew at the local fast food drive-in restaurant, his footwork skills have developed to the point where he was recently named one of six finalists to travel to Las Vegas on Oct. 2-8 and compete in Sonic Drive-In’s “So You Think You Can Skate” finals competition, presented by Dr Pepper® and RC Sports®.

McClasky will be showing off his skating ability in front of a panel of judges for a chance to win the gold medal and Sonic bragging rights.

Aaron’s area supervisor Joe Wilburn confirms, “He skates like a pro.”

The 18-year-old carhop admits when he initially slipped his feet into the skates in March 2009, “I still fell often.”

He also had to learn how to dodge customers’ vehicles. Fortunately, he was a quick study and was able to dodge two cars whose drivers didn’t see him as they were backing out.

Now he has reached the level where he is proficient enough to be a skating carhop trainer, which he acknowledged took about a year and three months of constant footwork practice.

Asked what promoted him to enter the national competition, McClasky says, ““Originally I wasn’t going to compete in the “So you think you can Skate” competition, but a week before the deadline my general manager Micheal Moore gave me and my co-worker Kelly Menard some encouragement to participate.”

He continues, “We didn’t have much time to practice and when the day came to film, we had no idea what to do.  We did whatever came naturally to us. I personally did not think I had a shot at making it to Vegas but am excited about the opportunity to go and represent Sonic of Rayne and Kergan Brothers Sonic organization.”

Aaron’s co-workers recognize his talent and his desire to well represent the local Sonic drive-in.

Crew member Matthew Moore says. “Aaron is an extremely dependable worker who always comes to work with an outgoing attitude that boosts everyone’s  morale.”

Fellow carhop Kelly Menard chimes in, “ “Aaron is a awesome person a true friend and an excellent skater.  He always has a positive attitude and it is a pleasure to work with him.”

Aaron’s manager remarks, “At first, he was not very strong as a skater but he was a quick learner and became awesome at skating, dodging cars, other carhops all while serving our guests their meal in a timely manner, always with a smile.”

Moore compliments the young carhop, “Aaron has become an ace at our location; he is fantastic with customers some of which ask for him by name to serve them. I am very proud of his accomplishments and look forward to him bringing home the gold medal to Rayne.”

Aaron’s area supervisor explains the judging will be done under actual conditions at a Sonic drive-in which will be closed for a day.

Judges will be assessing points for skill in maneuvering a timed obstacle course as well as “personal flair.”

Aaron admits the free-style skating “scares me the most.”

He will be competing against Sonic carhops from Georgia, Arkansas, Utah, Texas and Tennessee.

To prepare for the competition, the son of Scott and Cynthia McClasky of Rayne has ordered a new pair of black skates, which he plans to “break in” before traveling with his father to Las Vegas.

A home-schooled graduate, Aaron plans to attend Harrison College in Indiana, where he is currently studying online in order to compete in October.

He is pursuing a degree in business marketing which he will use to open his own professional photography studio.

Cheering on Aaron in Las Vegas will be Ted Kergan, owner of Kergan Brothers Sonic headquartered in Lafayette, and Gary Wilkerson, franchise group president.