Criteria for Scoring Private Interview Can she complete the presentation with a Miss America’s  Overall “First Impression”  “Naturalness” and relevance that would be of memorable kind of vivacity and spirit? interest to her peers Does she meet the public’s expectation of a Outstanding  Strong communication skills (speech, Titleholder? vocabulary, grammar)

 An ability to express and distinguish her Evening Wear/On-Stage Question beliefs Criteria for Scoring Evening Wear/On-Stage  A confident and charismatic personality Question  Attractive and stylish in an age-appropriate  Overall “First Impression” TEEN An Official Judge’s Guide for a manner  Walk, posture, carriage, beauty and grace Miss America’s Outstanding Teen  Leadership and sense of accomplishment  Sense of confidence, poise, and stage  Knowledge of and commitment to a presence Local or State Preliminary Compet community service advocacy issue  Sense of style, personality, and age- appropriateness of evening wear Founded in 2005, Miss America’s Outstanding Can you envision the public, especially young  Can she handle the pressure of speaking on- Teen, Inc. has been organized to encourage people, being positively impacted by meeting this stage in front of an audience? positive achievement by helping to nurture and young woman?  Did she answer the question she was asked build the scholastic achievement, creative and did she have the ability to make the accomplishment, healthy living and community As a judge planning for a contestant’s interview, audience want listen to her? involvement of our nation’s youth. In just a few you may choose to use “high-gain” questions to short years, MAOTeen has made available over generate other questions spontaneously in The contestant’s total look, grace, charm, $4 million in cash and in-kind scholarships through response to points the contestant raised. When personality and ability as a speaker must be our Local, State, and National organizations. asking “high-gain” questions, be sure to considered. encourage the contestant. “High-gain” questions Agreeing to judge a Local or State are tough to answer. If you do not encourage preliminary is an honor and an while asking them, the contestant may feel responsibility, not only to the enten interrogated. By using a lot of encouraging, you Organization, but to the young women can take the edge off your “high-gain” questions For information about the Miss America’s entering the competition, have placed and make the interview more conversational. In Outstanding Teen National Program, contact: the integrity and objectivity of the judges’ scores. simple terms, “high-gain” questions require the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen, Inc. contestant to think before responding. As a judge for a MAOTeen preliminary, it is imperative that you recognize as professional Judge the contestant on how well she has stated conduct: her opinion; it is inconsequential whether her  That you have been entrusted with the opinion aligns with your own. State/Local Official Judge’s Guide Brochure.doc preservation and perpetuation of the goals, objectives and spirit of the Miss America’s It is up to you as a judge to make the Private © Miss America’s Outstanding Teen, Inc. Outstanding Teen Organization. Interview a positive process for every contestant, All Rights Reserved  That the MAOTeen Organization expects your so please be prepared and courteous, and give first and greatest concern to be the best each contestant your undivided attention. interest of each contestant without distraction Miss Alabama’s as to who she is or what her background may Lifestyle and Fitness Outstanding be. Criteria for Scoring Lifestyle and Fitness  That the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen  Overall “First Impression” program depends in the largest measure upon your effectiveness as a judge.  Physically fit  Dynamic presence and attractiveness  Sense of confidence and self-assurance TEEN  Vitality, energy, and charisma Therefore, it should be your constant endeavor to: As a judge, you must be: At the State and National levels, the contestant’s  Devote time, thought and study to learn the  Decisive Scholastic Achievement is judged by a separate phases of competition and complete the  Impartial panel of judges.

duties and responsibilities of a judge. Consistent  Talent To work with your fellow judges in a spirit of   Appreciative of the arts The Talent phase of competition provides an insight harmony and cooperation.  Appreciative of community service endeavors into a contestant’s preparatory and performance  To score each contestant honestly in every skills. phase of competition. The philosophy of the Miss America’s Outstanding  To maintain confidentiality. Teen system of judging relies on the premise that Criteria for Scoring Talent “each contestant competes against herself”, rather The talent selection should distinguish the Most importantly, your score sheet is your than being compared to other contestants. contestant’s: personal statement, and your signature attests  True talent and entertainment value that you have scored in such a matter that the The dimensions of the system promote:  Interpretive ability results will produce the best representative, a teen  Equity (more than one contestant can receive  Technical skill level (execution, technique, who will be a role model in your community – and the same score) synchronization, control) who may represent your state and become Miss  Scoring each contestant individually  Stage presence and on-stage personality America’s Outstanding Teen.  Accumulative scoring  Totality of all elements (including costume,  Confidentiality props, voice, use of body, choreography) You will select a young woman who will represent You will see a variety of talents vocal in every the community in which she is competing as a All aspects of the Miss America’s Outstanding – – medium, dance in all forms, gymnastics, Teen system of judging mandate consistency. public servant, an advocate for local issues, a instrumentals and drama. friend to local businesses and a role model to youngsters. It is crucial that you select the teen Judges’ Materials On judging each, keep in mind that these young who best meets these criteria. While she will To acquaint you with each contestant, the women are not usually professionals. They are compete at the local/state competition and volunteer in charge of judges should supply showing you an aspect of their character and values perhaps in the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen contestant resumes, platform essays, contestant as much as their performing arts aptitude. Pageant, these considerations are secondary. photos, and other materials to assist you in your Most contestants will return to their communities task. You are urged to study these materials Will you be proud you selected this young woman after the state competition and must be of the carefully, and then use them as a basis for your when she performs her talent if she is selected as character and mindset to serve that community. questions as you meet the contestants at the the Titleholder? Did you enjoy the presentation? Private Interview prior to the stage competitions. Private Interview Consistent with the Miss America philosophy of Please do not lose or misplace your judges’ This phase of competition is an opportunity to learn judging, teen girls are being sought with the best materials. as much as possible about the contestant – her composite of the following attributes and qualities personal qualities and attributes. The basic tools for – an outstanding young woman of these times: The system dictates that you must score each conducting this interview are a resume of personal contestant immediately after she completes each credits and a platform essay which you will receive  A role model who inspires and relates to phase of her individual competition. prior to the competition. young people Remember the contestant is competing against Questions should be directed to determine the  An ambassador and representative of the herself and must receive a score in a 1 to 10 point contestant’s ability to fulfill the responsibilities of the MAOTeen Organization range, using whole numbers only. Local or State title, as described by the Judges’  Attractive and well spoken with a confident Chairperson or Executive Director. and commanding presence The four areas of competition you will be judging  Talented and charismatic are: Remember these contestants are 13-17 years old.  Intelligent, outgoing, and approachable  Talent Do not become too personal, and always stay within the bounds of good taste. Keep your questions short  Reflective of teen girls her age  Private Interview  A leader by virtue of her accomplishments enough so that plenty of questions can be asked and  Evening Wear/ On-Stage Question please do not ask the contestant to perform any sort  One who takes personal pride in physical  Lifestyle and Fitness of talent during the private interview phase of fitness and health. competition.