How to Avoid Errors in Score Tabulation
Bobbie Hinds
Recently, the RodeoRoyalty.com discussion group has had
several discussions concerning pageant scores that were incorrectly
tabulated. Its unfortunate that these events happen and no matter how
thorough a coordinator is, mistakes will happen. Here are five tips to
help ensure this does not happen at your pageant.
1. Make your judges sheets as simple as possible.
In the ten years that I have been judging and coordinating pageants I've learned
a lot about score sheets and what I like and what I don't like. Each year
I strive to make the judges sheets for the pageants I work with simple to use
for the judges and for the tabulators, while still maintaining the judging
criteria we feel is important. This year at the Miss Rodeo Iowa pageant
the judges will have one sheet for each event, with each contestant on the
sheet. Judges will be asked to take notes on a notepad and then to score
the contestants on the official score sheet. These notes will later be put
on an evaluation sheet that each contestant receives. After speaking to
others who have extensive experience judging pageants we feel this may be the
solution to too many papers and not enough time!
2. Clearly label the score sheets with contestant
names and numbers. If you are using a separate score sheet for each
contestant make sure the sheet is clearly marked with her name and, if possible,
her competition number. This is as simple as making the font used for her
name and number larger than that used on the score sheet and in bold.
Place the name and number of each contestant at the very top of the sheet and
make sure to clearly announce each contestants name when she begins her
turn. Ask each judge to signal to the emcee that they do have the correct
score sheet before beginning. It is also helpful for the score sheets to
be given to the judges in the order the contestants will compete.
3. If using a computer program, run a test of
your program before the pageant. Before using any program I've
developed to help tally scores I run the program using 'perfect' scores.
This means that I enter a contestant as if she had earned a perfect score for
each judged area. My totals should be equal to the total points
possible. If they don't add up I know I have missed a cell or have entered
a wrong command. It's much easier to correct two weeks before the pageant
rather than two weeks after.
4. Provide a photo sheet for each judge.
Place a photo of each contestant on a single sheet with her name labeled
below. This is easy to do in a word document and you can use the photos
they submit for photogenic judging and publicity. Each judge gets a sheet
in their packet to refer back to.
5. Provide name tags to your contestants.
During casual times and 'up-close' judging require your contestants to wear a
name badge that can easily be read. This will help the judges associate
names with faces (and for some of us name-challenged coordinators!). Since
many contestants are wearing leather and pinning a badge on or sticking a label
on her outfit is not preferred, use lanyards which can be purchased at any
office supply store (a lanyard is simply a name tag/badge that goes around the
neck).
Mistakes are bound to happen but by paying close attention
to how your score sheets are set up and the method used to tally the end scores
you'll be less likely to award the title and other awards to the wrong
contestant. Best of luck to you!
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