Miss America
Judging System
The Miss America
Organization
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local
State-LocalPowerPoint
PowerPointJudging
JudgingCriteria.ppt
Criteria.ppt Revised
Revised5-9-07
5-9-07
The Miss America Organization
One of the nation’s leading achievement programs
and the world’s largest provider of scholarship
assistance for young women.
Last year, the Miss America Organization and
its state and local organizations made available
more than $45 million in cash and
scholarship assistance.
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
Selection of Judges
• Have five to seven Judges
• Judges who are related by blood or marriage, romantically
involved, business associates, or roommates may not serve on
the same judging panel
• The panel must include at least one Novice Judge who has
never judged a Miss America Preliminary
• An individual may judge a maximum of two State and four Local
Pageants during a Pageant Year
• When judging a Dual or Triple Pageant, it will count as two or
three of the four Pageants you are allowed to judge
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
All Judges should RECEIVE the following from the
Judges Chair 2 to 3 weeks before the Pageant:
• A Judges Affidavit and list of the participating contestants
• Schedule of activities involving them
• List of the other Judges with addresses and phone
numbers
• What expenses will be covered, if any
• Lodging information (if necessary): Include the name,
address and phone number of hotel
• Social activities planned for judges as this will help with
wardrobe
• A set of Contestant Fact Sheets (Photographs are not
necessary)
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
Judges Affidavit
1. I agree to serve, as an unpaid, volunteer judge,
in the finals of the Miss ___________________
Program, to be held in __________________,
_________________________.
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
Sample Contestant Resume
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
Sample Contestant Platform
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
Once your Judges accept a Judging Assignment,
have them PROVIDE:
• Their signed Judges Affidavits which were previously
sent to them by the Judges Chair
• A short biography that will be used for the program
book
• A photo, if requested
• Their travel plans so they may be met by a pageant
official
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
Your ORIENTATION of the Judges Panel should
ensure that they know and understand:
• Job Responsibilities of your Miss Local/State
• Scoring Values
• Qualities and Attributes of a Contestant
• Mechanics of Judging and Criteria for Scoring
• What the Contestants will physically be doing
on-stage in each Phase of Competition
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
SCORING VALUES for all Local Pageants
• Private Interview - 25%
• Talent - 35%
• Lifestyle & Fitness in Swimsuit - 15%
• Evening Wear - 20%
• On-Stage Question – 5%
• Top Five Final Ballot (Not added to prior scores)
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
SCORING VALUES
for State Single Night Pageants
• Private Interview - 25%
• Talent - 35%
• Lifestyle & Fitness in Swimsuit – 15%
• Evening Wear - 20%
• On Stage Question – 5%
• Top Five Final Ballot (Not added to prior scores)
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
SCORING VALUES for the Preliminary Nights
of a State Multi-Night Pageant
• Private Interview - 25%
• Talent - 35%
• Lifestyle & Fitness in Swimsuit - 15%
• Evening Wear - 20%
• On-Stage Question – 5%
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
SCORING VALUES for the Final Night
of a State Multi-Night Pageant
• Composite Score - 30%
• Talent - 30%
• Lifestyle & Fitness in Swimsuit -20%
• Evening Wear - 20%
• Top Five Final Ballot (Not added to prior scores)
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
QUALITIES and ATTRIBUTES of a Contestant
• Role Model
• Accomplished (Distinguished Achievements)
• Leader (Mobilizes and Inspires)
• Communicator (Courage of Convictions)
• Beauty (Attractive with Confident and Commanding
Presence)
• Talent and Intelligence
• Energy Including Charisma and Expression
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
MECHANICS of Judging
• Each contestant is competing against herself and is
scored in a point range of ONE (1) being the
LOWEST, TEN (10) being the HIGHEST, and FIVE
(5) being the AVERAGE using whole numbers only
• More than one contestant can receive the same
score
• Judges should sign their score sheets as soon as
they receive them from the Judges Chair and read
the information at the bottom of each sheet
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
MECHANICS of Judging (cont’d)
• Judges should mark their score sheets immediately
after each contestant completes her Phase of
Competition
• To change a contestant’s score, a Judge should
draw a line through the old score, enter the new
one and initial the change
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
MECHANICS of Judging on Preliminary Nights
• Consider the “Qualities and Attributes” &
“Job Responsibilities” for the following four
Phases of Competition when scoring:
– Private Interview
– Lifestyle & Fitness in Swimsuit
– Evening Wear
– On-Stage Question
• Talent is scored strictly on its own criteria on
preliminary nights only
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
MECHANICS of Judging a State Single Night
or the Final Night of a Multi-Night Pageant
• Consider the “Qualities and Attributes” and “Job
Responsibilities” in ALL Phases of Competition,
including Talent.
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
Judges should use the competitions to assess
three critical points for each contestant
• Can she do the job?
• Does she want the job?
• Will she be cooperative once she receives the job?
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
The PRIVATE INTERVIEW Competition
• Remembering that we are looking for a person
to fill a job position, this Phase of Competition is an
opportunity to learn as much as possible about the
contestant
– her Qualities and Attributes;
– her commitment to advance her issue as a “Role
Model”;
– her ability to express and distinguish her beliefs;
and
– her ability to fulfill the Job Responsibilities.
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
Private Interview SCORING CRITERIA
• Overall “First Impression”
• Qualities and Attributes
• Knowledge and Understanding of her Platform Issue
– in a manner of “National Public Interest”
• Ability to Fulfill Job Responsibilities
• Sense of Accomplishments (above and beyond
Statement of Achievements on Fact Sheet)
• Confident and Commanding Presence
• Personality, Appearance and Attractiveness
• Validated Opinions and Responses (In Context)
• Communication (Speech, Vocabulary and Grammar)
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
Private Interview FORMAT
• A podium will be used
• Interview time will be a total of ten (10) minutes
• Interview begins immediately
• Interview continues until the 9:30 timing mark
• 30 seconds to close this phase of competition
• If discussion ends before the 30 seconds are up,
the interview then ends
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
Private Interview QUESTIONS
are predicated upon:
• Resume (Fact) Sheet
• Relevant Issues to Women
• STATE Issues Relevant to the Contestant
• Role and Responsibilities
• Current Events
• Career Goals and Personal Ambitions
• Education
• Artistic Expression in Talent
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
A Contestant:
• A contestant may respond to a question with
“I Don’t Know”
• A contestant is to wear “Business Attire” that is
appropriate for her age and for a job interview
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
The Private Interview SCORE SHEET
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
The TALENT Competition
• The Talent Competition is not an end in itself, but
rather an insight into the woman’s preparatory and
performance skills
• The Talent Competition acknowledges the “Quality” of
the performance, “Technical Skill Level”, “Stage
Presence” and the interest and entertainment value
• On Preliminary Nights of Multi-Night State
Competitions, this phase will be scored considering
technical quality along with the entertainment and
performance value criteria ONLY
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
The TALENT Competition (cont’d)
• Each Talent routine shall not exceed two minutes in
length excluding the emcee’s introduction
• On the Final Night of Competition, Talent as well as
all other phases will be scored against the stated
Criteria, Qualities and Responsibilities
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
Talent SCORING CRITERIA
• Selection and Performance (Distinguishes
personality and skill)
• Interpretive Ability:
Technical Skill Level (Execution, Technique,
Synchronization and Control)
• Stage Presence (On-Stage Personality)
• Total of all Elements (Including costume, props,
music, voice, use of body and choreography)
• DID YOU ENJOY THE PRESENTATION?
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
The Talent SCORE SHEET
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
The EVENING WEAR Competition
• This competition is designed for the contestant to
“make an on-stage statement of her compelling
charm, presence and personality”
• Her beauty, sense of style composure and allure
must be projected across the footlights
• Does she grab your attention simply by walking into a
room/onto a stage?
• The contestant’s total look is considered
•
The Evening Wear (not the value of it) should
complement the woman
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
Evening Wear SCORING CRITERIA
• Overall “First Impression”
• Sense of Confidence
• Personality and Stage Presence
• Walk, Posture, Carriage and Grace
• Sense of Style and Appropriateness of the
Evening Wear
• Beauty, Sense of Attractiveness and Charm
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
The Evening Wear SCORE SHEET
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
The LIFESTYLE & FITNESS IN SWIMSUIT
Competition
• This phase is designed to see how well the
contestant maintains a lifestyle of good physical
fitness and health
• Her sense of confidence, attractiveness and
presence must be considered in the scoring
• Because the Swimsuit Competition is very fast
paced, Judges should quickly score each contestant
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
Lifestyle & Fitness in Swimsuit
SCORING CRITERIA
• First Impression
• Attractiveness and Presence
• Lifestyle Statement of Strong Physical Health
(Is she physically fit?)
• Walk, Posture, Poise and Grace
• Sense of Confidence and Composure
• Display of Energy, Charisma and Expression
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
The Lifestyle & Fitness in Swimsuit
SCORE SHEET
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
The ON-STAGE QUESTION Competition
The On-Stage Question Phase of Competition is
designed for the contestant to make an On-Stage
statement of her interests, opinions and aspirations
The Judge is only to consider her answers to the
questions:
• Overall “First Impression”
• Did the Contestant answer the question in the context in
which it was asked?
• Can she handle the pressure of speaking on stage in front
of an audience?
• Will young people see her as a Role Model who is
reflective of today’s generation?
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
COMPOSITE SCORING
For Multi-Night State Pageants
• You have seen all the contestants in every phase of competition
• You must now assess each contestant’s ability to fulfill the Job
Responsibilities of Miss State/America
• Each contestant is competing against herself and MUST receive
a score in a 6.0 to 10.0 point range, using whole numbers only
•
More than one contestant may receive the same score
• The auditors will discard the high score and the low score for
each contestant in this phase
• The Composite phase of competition is equal to 30% of the
scoring and will be carried forward to the Final Night’s Score
Sheet, replacing the Private Interview
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
Criteria for Composite Scoring
• Consider all of the judging criteria from all of the
phases of competition
• Evaluate her overall performance in all competitions
and whether or not she should be the winner
• Does she have the ability to fulfill the job
responsibilities of Miss State/America?
• Does she have the commitment as a role model who
cares about her role and other women’s roles in
society?
• Should she be Miss State/America?
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
ON STAGE COMPETITIONS ON THE FINAL
NIGHT of a Multi-Night State Pageant
• Remember, the Top Ten Composite Scores have
been carried forward and take the place of the
Private Interview Scores. They will count for 30% of
the final score
• The On Stage Competitions will be scored in a 6 to
10 range, using whole numbers only, with each
contestant’s high and low score discarded
• Each contestant is competing against herself and
more than one contestant may receive the same
score
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
SCORING VALUES for the Final Night
of a State Multi-Night Pageant
• Composite Score - 30%
• Talent - 30%
• Lifestyle & Fitness in Swimsuit -20%
• Evening Wear - 20%
• Top Five Final Ballot (Not added to prior scores)
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
The Top Five Final Ballot
PLACEMENTS
NUMBER AND NAME OR TITLE OF CONTESTANT
POINTS
1st Placement
10 Points
2nd Placement
5 Points
3rd Placement
3 Points
4th Placement
2 Points
5th Placement
1 Point
• Considering the job responsibilities and requirements presented to you during your judges’
orientation , RANK the Top Five Contestants in the order in which you believe each should
finish in this competition. Write their contestant numbers and names or titles in the five
spaces above.
• Think about the job description as well as the qualities and attributes necessary to perform the
job of Miss Local/State. Consider all phases of competition and determine the order in which
the contestants could best perform the job responsibilities of Miss Local/State and serve as
the “face” and the “voice” of this Organization.
• The contestant you believe to be the best woman for this job should receive the first
placement; the second best, the second placement, and continue this process until all five
have been ranked according to your belief in who would be the best applicant for the job
description you have been asked to fill.
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
Questions to Ask Yourself
• “Would I be proud to see her as Miss Local/State?”
• “Could I see her going through all the competitions
at the next level?”
• “Can she be a role model for young people PLUS
earn peer respect and acceptance?
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
Top Five Final Ballot (cont’d)
• The outcome of the pageant is based SOLELY
on the scores from the Final Ballot
• The high and low scores on the Final Ballot will NOT
be dropped
• These points will NOT be added to the scores from
the previous competitions
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
GENERAL RULES for Judges
• If you cannot judge a contestant impartially, then do not
accept the position
• Give the FIRST contestant the same point consideration as
the LAST one
• No talking, laughing or applauding while contestants are
on stage, particularly during competition
• Watch all contestants and mark your sheet as each one
finishes
• Do not tell anyone how you scored
• Be aware of the point values with ONE (1) being the
LOWEST, FIVE (5) being the AVERAGE, and TEN (10)
being the HIGHEST using whole numbers only
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
GENERAL RULES for Judges (cont’d)
• Do not compare
• Judges, and all others associated with the judging
process are to NEVER discuss the contestants
among themselves
• Judges are not permitted to attend rehearsals
or leave the arena during the pageant
• ALL electronic devices MUST be turned off during
all competitions
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
After the Pageant
• If there is an event following the Pageant, do not
discuss anything that transpired during the judging
process with anyone
• You may be asked by the Executive Director or other
designated Pageant personnel to participate in a
“critique” of the winner following the Pageant. You
should provide this information, in a positive manner,
to help the contestant improve for the next level of
competition
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
After the Pageant (cont’d)
• If you receive E-mails and/or letters following the
Pageant requesting advice on how to improve, politely
decline by saying, “I signed an affidavit which prevents
me from discussing anything which took place during
the judging process, but good luck with your future
pageant experience”
• Please be sure that all contestant paperwork in your
possession is disposed of in a manner which will
protect the contestants
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Pageant
Promoting scholastic achievement,
creative accomplishment, healthy living, and
community involvement for America’s teens
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
Miss America’s Outstanding Teen SCORING VALUES
Preliminary Competitions of Multi-Night Pageants
and Scoring for Single Night Pageants
• Private Interview – 30%
• Talent – 35%
• Evening Wear – 15%
• Lifestyle and Fitness in Sportswear – 10%
• On-Stage Question – 5%
• Scholastic Achievement – 5%
All competitions EXCEPT FOR SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT
are scored on a scale of 1 to 10 using whole numbers only, with
each contestant’s high and low scores in each category dropped
by the auditors
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
Miss America’s Outstanding Teen SCORING VALUES
Final Night of a Multi-Night State Pageant
• Composite – 35% (Scored 6 -10)
• Talent – 35%
• Evening Wear – 15%
• Lifestyle and Fitness in Sportswear – 15%
Final night On-Stage Competitions will be judged
on a scale of 6 to 10 using whole numbers only,
with each contestant’s high and low scores dropped
by the auditors
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
Miss America’s Outstanding Teen TOP FIVE BALLOT
Final Night of a Multi-Night State Pageant
Considering the Job Responsibilities and requirements
presented to you during your judges’ orientation, RANK
THE Top Five Contestants in the order in which you
believe each should finish in this competition from first
to fifth. A first place vote is worth 10 points, second
place - 5 points, third place - 3 points, fourth place 2 points, fifth place - 1 point.
The total of the Final Ballots alone will determine
the outcome of the pageant. The high and low
scores on the Final Ballot will NOT be dropped.
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
Miss America’s Outstanding Teen SCHOLASTIC
ACHIEVEMENT
• The Scholastic Achievement competition is scored
by a separate panel of judges consisting of local
educators. Each contestant’s high and low score
will NOT be dropped.
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07
Conclusion
• As a pageant judge, you are also BEING judged
• The contestants consider participating in this program
serious
• They are sincere in their efforts, and you should
respond at all times with understanding and dignity
Copyright 2007 Miss America Organization
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State-Local PowerPoint Judging Criteria.ppt Revised 5-9-07