By Dr. Lori Sikorzski
What qualifications are most essential to a good
pageant judge?
“Qualifications” brings to mind
consideration of academic degrees, job titles, and relevant experience,
such as past judging opportunities. As a director, my search for pageant
judges focuses more on the qualities of the individual, rather than their
credentials. Of course, it is important to select as judges individuals who
contestants will feel are worthy of serving in that role. To that end,
certain “titles” (e.g., “talent scout,” “past
titleholder,” “community leader,” etc.) can influence a
director’s decision-making in selecting a judging panel. However, I
believe it is far more critical to be mindful of certain personal
characteristics when selecting judges:
Integrity – A good pageant judge must be
honest and forthright, refraining from unethical scoring practices.
Diligence – Judges must take their task
seriously, affording all contestants equal time, attention, and
consideration.
Fidelity – A good pageant judge must be
able to set aside their own preferences and make scoring decisions based
upon the criteria set by the pageant director.
Unbiased – Judges must not allow
stereotypes or prejudices to influence their scoring decisions.
What does it mean to be chosen a judge?
Being asked to judge a pageant is an honor and a
sacred trust. Contestants work tremendously hard to prepare for pageants,
and they deserve to be judged by individuals who have an appreciation of
the responsibility of their role. Pageant directors invest a huge amount of
resources (e.g., emotional, financial, time) in organizing their events. A
dishonest or biased judge can cause a tremendous amount of harm, resulting
in a negative experience for contestants and damage to the pageant’s
(and director’s) reputation.
Conversely, a judging panel consisting of individuals
who exemplify the qualities of integrity, diligence, fidelity, and
open-mindedness will set the stage for a successful event. Judges are
entrusted with the power to change a contestant’s life, the
responsibility of maintaining the honor of the pageant system, and
guardianship of the director’s reputation.
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