tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574875006664617921.post2376913484429725143..comments2023-10-23T11:49:38.100-04:00Comments on MISScellanea: My Take on the Latest Fiasco…Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14556859386438546245noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574875006664617921.post-55537943031928272672008-02-09T13:18:00.000-05:002008-02-09T13:18:00.000-05:00** Note, these comments have gotten out of order, ...** Note, these comments have gotten out of order, but if you read them all they should make sense.**<BR/><BR/>The following was left as a comment under my "about me" post; I have copied and pasted it here because I believe everyone should read it: <BR/><BR/>Abby,<BR/><BR/>This is Brandi Barhite. I judged the Miss Maple City pageant and I don't even know where to begin. I read the one judge's column in the paper and I felt badly for Heather and for myself.<BR/><BR/>To set the record straight: I was a big Heather supporter throughout the whole pageant. I told Dolly, the pageant director, she could release my score sheets to prove that this is true.<BR/><BR/>In fact, I voted for Miss Wells as one of my top choices, and quite high in interview as well. There was only one judge who demanded people say who listed Heather as No. 1. I did not answer because we weren't allowed, although I said she was one of my top people throughout the evening.<BR/><BR/>When we came in from the pageant and someone asked me if I surprised that Heather won I said "only a tad." I said that because I didn't think my vote would make that much of a difference. I thought my high scores for Heather would put her in first or second. I then went onto to say I liked her from the beginning, including the interview. I even interjected when one of the judges was complaining and suggested she give her some suggestions because Heather is truly is beautiful. After the pageant, I offered my congrats to Heather and even told her about getting in contact with the Youngstown paper so she could get some publicity. Heather goes to school in Youngstown.<BR/><BR/>Also, I am not a pageant veteran at all. I am a fan of Miss America and have watched it for years. I did a few pageants once and realized it wasn't for me. I don't have it in me. The only crown I have is from Miss Strawberry Queen and that's a local thing hosted in the summer in my hometown.<BR/><BR/>I just wanted to have a chance to defend myself and Heather. <BR/><BR/>BrandiAbbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14556859386438546245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574875006664617921.post-49840969875372291732008-02-09T13:17:00.000-05:002008-02-09T13:17:00.000-05:00Brandi, I completely understand; I actually notice...Brandi, <BR/><BR/>I completely understand; I actually noticed the typo and meant to fix it when I copied your comment here, but forgot. I can not edit comments, but I will delete and repost it. <BR/><BR/>To Anonymous- When you say “there should be systems put into place to eliminate these issues before they occur” do you mean a confidentiality agreement for judges to prevent future articles like this? Just clarifying. <BR/><BR/>Thank you both for leaving comments. <BR/><BR/>~AbbyAbbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14556859386438546245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574875006664617921.post-28833194178741856062008-02-08T19:56:00.000-05:002008-02-08T19:56:00.000-05:00This is all a hot mess. It's fiascos like this th...This is all a hot mess. It's fiascos like this that turns new people off from competing. There should be systems put into place to eliminate these issues before they occur.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574875006664617921.post-63448348296903007902008-02-08T18:06:00.000-05:002008-02-08T18:06:00.000-05:00Hi Abby,Thanks for letting me share my experience....Hi Abby,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for letting me share my experience. I am a journalist and even worked for the Sandusky Register for six years before I left this summer. The Norwalk Reflector where the column was published is a sister paper to the Register. I didn't know a column was going to be written about the pageant or judging, but as a journalist I know that is certainly allowed. <BR/><BR/>As for judging, it was my first time at a MOA pageant; I've judged a few fair queen pageants. The day was intense, but enjoyable. I liked getting to know the girls and enjoyed the judges' company. Some of the judges with more experience had great stories to share about pageants and the girls they have coached. I left Norwalk that night feeling good about my scores and who placed and won. In fact, one of my last comments as we judges were getting ready to go the reception was that this pageant really spread the wealth. Heather was the winner, but Katie won interview; Marisa won talent; and Amanda Culp won swimsuit. I think that demonstates there was a quality group of ladies to choose among.<BR/><BR/>P.S. - Since I am journalist can you please fix the "should could" typo in my previous blog. It should say "she could." Oops.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17744189175270248980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574875006664617921.post-18547396903190945622008-02-08T17:15:00.000-05:002008-02-08T17:15:00.000-05:00More info on judges:--Scores can not be shared bec...More info on judges:<BR/>--Scores can not be shared because they are sent by the Auditor to the Miss Ohio office the next day in a sealed envelope.<BR/>--Judges DO sign an affidavit which binds them to certain behaviors including "perform duties in a dignified and professional manner which is appropriate and sensitive to the feelings and impressions of the women who are participating ..<BR/>...maintain the confidentiality of the information entrusted or known by me by virtue of my position as a judge regardless of the source of information..."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574875006664617921.post-66659127516590535612008-02-08T15:20:00.000-05:002008-02-08T15:20:00.000-05:00Brandi, Thank you so much for this comment! As I ...Brandi, <BR/><BR/>Thank you so much for this comment! As I wrote in a comment above, I figured that is what happened - one loud mouth can make everyone look bad! <BR/><BR/>I know from experience that judging is not easy; I am sorry that this mess is the thanks you're getting for your time and effort. :(<BR/><BR/>Did Mr. Prutsok indicate to anyone that he would be writing this kind of article?<BR/><BR/>Again, I greatly appreciate that you've come forward with your side of the story. <BR/><BR/>~AbbyAbbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14556859386438546245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574875006664617921.post-23436990282283296842008-02-08T15:16:00.000-05:002008-02-08T15:16:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Abbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14556859386438546245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574875006664617921.post-40604008040239832722008-02-08T13:43:00.000-05:002008-02-08T13:43:00.000-05:00I think this episode requires each Judge to sign a...I think this episode requires each Judge to sign a confidentiality agreement.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574875006664617921.post-71616042440175866662008-02-08T09:11:00.000-05:002008-02-08T09:11:00.000-05:00This just makes me disdain the ballot even more. I...This just makes me disdain the ballot even more. It's a game of luck.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574875006664617921.post-26241137654853807372008-02-07T20:35:00.000-05:002008-02-07T20:35:00.000-05:00Abby,I have a file folder full of instructions for...Abby,<BR/>I have a file folder full of instructions for the judges and auditors. It would be difficult to rig the outcome. Most auditors now use computer programs to add up the scores. Everything is sealed at the end. I can't believe people would think that anything is rigged. This just insults me especially when there are as many as 7 judges with a miriad of scores. If those four judges at Miss Maple City didn't understand the scoring, they should have asked the Auditor or Judges Chair. No judge is supposed to discuss scoring with anyone (including other judges) except the Executive Director. <BR/>About high and low scores--I will write what it says about the form<BR/>"#18-LP07-Single Night Computer Tally Sheet.xls (Excel Format) This is a self-contained auditors program for Single Night Competitions at the State and Local levels. If you use this program, make sure your auditors have a copy of it ahead of time so that they can become familiar with it. They simply enter the data for each contestant and the built-in formulas determine who the winner and runners-up are. This program does High/Low elimination automatically, except for the Final Ballot where it is NOT required."<BR/>Also: <BR/>"After each competition is over and all the Judges' Score Sheets are entered on the Tally Sheet, the auditors will discard the high score and low score for each contestant, then add the remaining figures horizontally and multiply by the appropriate factor to obtain the total points per phase for each contestant. Please be sure to verify the appropriate score sheets are used by the Judges Chair for each phase of competition." <BR/>We use the recommended colored pages to be sure we have the correct sheets for each competition.<BR/>Also:<BR/>"The Judges Chair should provide the auditors with the appropriate Manual Tally Sheet hardcopy and Computer Tally Sheet program for each night of competition from the selection listed below. It is strongly suggested that the auditors continuously maintain and update BOTH a Manual Tally Sheet AND a back-up file of the Computer Tally Sheet during each pageant night in the event the original computer file becomes corrupt or the computer crashes. The Computer Tally Sheets are programmed to automatically create, then update a back-up file each time the original file is saved."<BR/>Also about judges talking, the Judges Guide says (in part), "As a judge for a Miss America preliminary, it is imperative that you recognize as professional conduct: <BR/>--- Devote time, thought and study to learn the phases of competition and complete the duties and responsibilities of a judge;<BR/>--- To work with your fellow judges in a spirit of harmony and coooperation;<BR/>--- To score each contestant honestly in every phase of competition;<BR/>--- To maintain confidentiality."<BR/>As far as people criticizing how Ohio chooses its winner (for the state and not MA) the guide says,<BR/>"You will select a young woman who will represent the community in which she is competing--as a public servant, an advocate for local issues, a friend to local businesses and a role model to youngsters. It is crucial that you select the woman who best meets these criteria. While she will compete at the local/state competition and perhaps in the Miss America Pageant, these considerations are secondary. Most women will return to their communities after the state competition and must be of the character and mindset to serve that community."<BR/>Nancy Mabrey<BR/>Judges Chair MWCOSP 2007Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574875006664617921.post-16041829285360108542008-02-07T19:42:00.000-05:002008-02-07T19:42:00.000-05:00Thanks Nancy, this is valuable information!If I ge...Thanks Nancy, this is valuable information!<BR/><BR/>If I get a chance, I'll recalculate my example with these figures. <BR/><BR/>Does this mean that the highest and lowest scores for all the other phases ARE dropped? I mentioned in a comment response under the E.D. poll that I thought they were, but I wasn't sure. <BR/><BR/>~AbbyAbbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14556859386438546245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574875006664617921.post-25862378303350670262008-02-07T19:28:00.000-05:002008-02-07T19:28:00.000-05:00This is from the "MISS OHIO LOCAL PRELIMINARY JUDG...This is from the "MISS OHIO LOCAL PRELIMINARY JUDGING OVERVIEW FOR 2007-2008"<BR/>This is a quote from judges' pages.<BR/>Final Ballot--"Once the auditors have tabulated the total of the five phases of competitions, they will generate a final ballot containing the names of the five contestants with the highest total scores.<BR/>Each judge will use the final ballot to rank the contestants in the order in which he/she believes the contestants should finish. A first place vote will be worth 10 points, a second place vote will be worth 5 points, a third place vote will be worth 3 points, a fourth place vote will be worth 2 points and a fifth place vote will be worth 1 point. The high and low scores are NOT dropped on the final ballot, all the judges' votes count on the final ballot.<BR/>The final ballot points will be totaled and these points alone will determine the outcome of the pageant." Nancy Mabrey, Judges' Chair MWCOSP 2007Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574875006664617921.post-53348936816699558992008-02-07T18:48:00.000-05:002008-02-07T18:48:00.000-05:00Hey Laura, I did catch your latest post, and I hav...Hey Laura, <BR/><BR/>I did catch your latest post, and I have to admit, I don't think I ever heard that our winner was related to the director! I'll leave you a comment soon...<BR/><BR/>As for these judges, I have to wonder if it was one vocal woman, or if all four of them really immediately started bitching..? I know one of them and really can't see her doing that, but if you're in a group of people and nod in agreement I guess that makes you guilty by association. <BR/><BR/>Like you, I’m kind of surprised at everyone’s reaction to Heather’s win. I don’t know her, but like you said, she’s placed consistently, so it’s really not shocking! <BR/><BR/>~AbbyAbbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14556859386438546245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574875006664617921.post-9561756780464918962008-02-07T18:29:00.000-05:002008-02-07T18:29:00.000-05:00For the most part, I agree with you. But how can t...For the most part, I agree with you. But how can these "four judges"-whoever they were- not understand the ballot system themselves? It seems so inappropriate to be asking after the pageant "who voted for her?" and tearing her apart like that. However, a lot of people do it- just read any voy forum on pageants the day after a pageant, where you can read armchair judges remarks about a girls intelligence, facial beauty, body, or talent. Usually these are negative and obviously anonymous. <BR/><BR/>Heather is a great girl who has placed numerous times in Ohio this season and she recently placed 1st runner up to Miss Ohio Teen USA- so I'm surprised these other judges (who obviously had her scored well on the ballot, as I can hardly believe they all put her in last place) acted like it was a shock she won! <BR/><BR/>Anyways, I posted earlier today about how judging is a bizarre experience based off of our Montpelier experience this summer from my perspective. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for clarifying the final ballot system. I've always had a general idea of how it worked but I understand it much more clearly now.Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10045550852792928389noreply@blogger.com