01Your job
Score every contestant on the same standard, treat every one of them with kindness, and hand your scores to the tabulator. That's it.
For many contestants, especially young ones, this is a first time on a stage. How you smile, listen and speak to them matters as much as the number you write down. Every contestant should leave feeling it was worth it.
02Before the day
- Read the rules, the scoring areas and their weights, and the divisions you'll judge
- Tell the director about anyone you know: relatives, students, clients, neighbors, children you've coached. In a small town that's normal; you'll step aside from scoring that contestant
- Don't look up contestants online or follow them on social media
- Plan to arrive early for the judges' briefing
- Dress as you would for a nice dinner or a job interview
- Bring a pen you like and reading glasses if you use them; the director provides everything else
03How to score
You give each contestant one score in each area, on a 10-point scale. Use the whole scale, and score each contestant against what's typical for their age.
| Score | What it means |
|---|
| 9–10 | Outstanding for their age. You'll remember this one. |
| 7–8 | Strong. Confident and well prepared, with a small thing to polish. |
| 5–6 | Good, with clear room to grow. |
| 3–4 | Still finding their feet. Nervous, or not yet prepared. |
| 1–2 | Rare. Save it for a contestant who didn't take part in that area. |
- Don't save your high scores. The first contestant deserves the same scale as the last. If the first one is a 9, give a 9.
- Score each contestant on their own, then glance back to check you've been consistent. You're not ranking; the tabulator does that.
- Compare to their age, not to older divisions. A confident four-year-old who waves and says their name can be a 9.
- Use the practice score in the briefing to check you and the other judges mean the same thing by a 7.
- Write clearly and use whole numbers unless the director asks for halves.
04What to look for
Judge what the contestant does, never what they own or how they look.
InterviewConfidence, eye contact, listening, and honest, thoughtful answers. There are no right answers; you're looking for a real person talking to you.
Formal wearPoise, posture, a steady walk, and how they carry themselves. Never the price, the label or the fit of the gown.
On-stagePersonality, energy and stage presence. Did they enjoy it, and did the audience?
PhotogenicThe contestant's expression and presence in the photo, not how expensive the photographer was.
The youngest contestants
- Babies and toddlers are scored on how they respond: a smile, a wave, looking around. A parent may carry them or stand close.
- Tears happen. Score what they did, be gentle, and never let your face show disappointment.
- For Baby and Tiny, the interview is usually a short on-stage introduction.
Never score: body shape or size, skin, hair texture, disability, how wealthy a family seems, or anything a contestant can't change by preparing.
05Running an interview
- Stand or smile when they come in, say your first name, and thank them for coming
- Keep to the time the director gives you, usually three to five minutes
- Ask open questions that let them talk: "Tell us about something you're proud of." "What would you do if you were in charge of your school for a day?" "Who do you look up to, and why?"
- Match questions to their age; for young children, ask about their favorite things
- Listen more than you talk, and let them finish
- Never ask about weight, looks, family money, religion, politics, or private family matters
- End warmly: "Thank you, that was lovely"
If the director collects comments, write them for the parent who'll read them at home.
- One thing they did well, specifically: "Great eye contact and a lovely clear voice."
- One thing to work on next time, kindly: "Try slowing down your walk so we can see your smile."
- Never comment on bodies, looks, or the cost of anything.
- Keep it short. Two sentences is plenty.
07Staying fair
- Score on your own; don't compare scores with other judges until the director says you're finished
- Don't talk with families or contestants about the competition before results
- Hand your sheets straight to the tabulator
- Don't change a score after you've handed it in, unless the tabulator finds a clear mistake
- Keep every score private, during and after the pageant
- If a family asks you about results, kindly send them to the director
- Don't post about contestants or results online
08Keeping contestants safe
- Never be alone with a child who isn't your own; a second adult is always in the interview room
- Don't touch contestants beyond a handshake or a high five they offer
- Contact a minor only through their parent or guardian, before and after the pageant: no messages, texts or follows
- Stay out of dressing areas
- Take no photos of contestants unless the director asks you to, in public, with permission
- If you see or hear anything that worries you, tell the director's named safeguarding contact right away
09The one-page card
Print this part and keep it at the judges' table.
- Same standard for everyone. Use the whole scale.
- Compare to their age, not to older divisions.
- Judge what they do, never what they own or how they look.
- Tell the director anyone you know, and step aside from scoring them.
- Open questions, kind face, let them finish.
- Comments: one strength, one thing to work on, written for the parent.
- Score on your own. Sheets straight to the tabulator. Scores stay private.
- Never alone with a child. Contact only through a parent.
- Worried about something? Tell the safeguarding contact now.
Help wantedJudges: what do you wish someone had told you before your first pageant? Directors: what do new judges most often get wrong?
Help write it
Experienced judges, this part is for you. Send a casual email to support@bombyhead.com with as little or as much as you want to say. Jim Cook, the editor, will shape it into the guide. Tell us if you'd like to be credited by name.