Twenty-two-year-old Jeremy Huddleston has been flashing a bit of ’50s nostalgia as a carhop on roller skates in his hometown of Philadelphia, Mississippi, and now is spinning it to some national recognition.

After submitting a video to compete in a national skate-off event, Huddleston, who works at Sonic #2774 in Philadelphia, was named this week one of the top five most talented skating carhops in the country. He will compete in the Sonic’s annual Skate-Off Competition next month in Oklahoma City.

Huddleston said he decided to enter the competition when a friend who participated in it told him it would be fun, good for the store, and for himself.

“I wanted to make a video that had a classic homestyle feel to it,” Huddleston said. “If you are watching the video you can feel the humbleness and excitement because I love Sonic and I wanted to share my experience with everybody else.”

For seven years Huddleston has been honing his roller skating skills – learning from the internet, going to the local skating rink, and skating with people who have helped him mold his skills.

“Once I showed signs of improvement I stuck with it,” Huddleston said. “The kids at the skating rink liked what I was doing so I just kept going and pushing myself.

“The kids come to see me at the Sonic, and sometimes I go to the rink and teach them what I know. Maybe one day they will follow in my footsteps and maybe skate or carhop for Sonic as well. It will give them a different route to take instead of professional sports.”

When he straps on his roller skates, Huddleston entertains customers with his signature skating tricks, which he calls “Jam Skating,” while delivering their orders. Philadelphia Sonic Proprietor Ronnie Jones said his store is blessed to have Jeremy as an employee.

“Jeremy is just great with people and loves being around them,” Jones said. “He’s a neat young man with a genuine smile who puts his heart into his job. Whatever he does in life he is going to be good at it.”

The finalists in Oklahoma City will tackle a challenging 12-part obstacle course and a fun freestyle set for a chance to snag a free pair of custom RC Sports skates and Dr. Pepper skates, meet and train with professional skaters, win cash prizes and have a shot at the coveted championship title, according to Sonic. The judges will evaluate each finalists’ skating ability, carhop skills, and overall guest service. The gold, silver and bronze medalists of this year’s SONIC Skate-Off competition, delivered by Dr. Pepper, will be announced during the 2018 SONIC Convention held in Washington D.C. this September.

The 5 Sonic finalists

Devin Berry, Sedalia, Missouri

Juwahski “JuJu” Starling, Dothan, Alabama

Josh Tucker, Dothan, Alabama

James Moffet, Knoxville, Tennessee

Jeremy Huddleston, Philadelphia, Mississippi

To prepare for the finals Huddleston said he will eat healthily, work out and practice daily.

“While I am working I am practicing doing some trade spins for the customers,” Huddleston said. “The customers are always excited when they see me. They are always smiling and congratulating me, I couldn’t ask for more.”

As for the future, Huddleston said his plans are to attend college at the University of Southern Mississippi.