Judges at the college and state competition levels will use the same criteria. Judges will receive scoring sheets to record their responses and will return them to the coordinators.  Judges are expected to make their judgments individually without the influence of others, including other judges or college officials. 

Judges at the college level should complete their work in sufficient time for the college coordinators to deliver complete information, including completed applications, head shots of the winners, and submitted work for the state competition. 

Individuals who have a perceived or actual conflict of interest should decline the invitation to judge.  Fairness is a hallmark of the competition, which will use blind judging. Students are instructed not to include their names or other identifying information in their entries. Individuals invited to judge should consider the following questions: Are you a relative/friend of a student who entered the competition? Are you a teacher/coach, currently or previously, of a student who entered the competition? Have you received any information about the identify of student participants from a student or someone connected with the college?  Barring any perceived or actual conflicts of interest that would jeopardize fair evaluation and any major time commitments, please accept the invitation as soon as possible and commence judging in a timely manner by the established college deadlines. 

Judging Criteria 

Both poet laureate and visual art luminary submissions will be evaluated on four criteria. Both groups will be judged two universal criteria as well as two additional criteria related to the discipline.  At the state competition, both poet laureates and visual art luminaries will be interviewed by judges. 

Universal criteria

The universal criteria are theme and engaging impact.  In evaluating the adherence to the theme, judges will ask themselves, "How well does the poet/visual artist capture the theme "I Dream"?" In evaluating engaging impact, judges will ask themselves, "How well does the poem or artwork engage or move you?"  

Poet Laureate criteria 

In addition, the work of poet laureate applicants also will be judged on language and flow as well as educational/informational categories.  To evaluate language and flow, judges will ask themselves, "Did the poet choose powerful words and organization to convey an idea rooted in authenticity?"  To evaluate the educational/informational category, judges will ask themselves, "Did the poet offer a lesson that propels growth or triggers inspiration?" 

Performance 

Each college will decide whether to evaluate performance at the local level. It is not required. If performance is bypassed at the college level, the coordinator is encouraged to arrange some coaching - perhaps with a theatre faculty member or local artist - to help the poet laureate prepare for the state competition.  The coordinators also will receive performance tip sheets to share with the poet laureate. 

At the state competition, poet laureates will be judged on their performance of their "I Dream" poem and an interview with the judges.  In terms of performance, the judges will evaluate physical presence; voice and articulation; and interpretation. Coordinators have a list of performance tips for students. The questions they will consider are: Physical presence: "Does the author project a confidence that helps the audience understand the poem?" Voice and articulation: "Is the poet easy to hear and understand during the delivery?" Interpretation: "Do the poet's performance choices aid in the understanding of the poem?"  

Visual Art Luminary Criteria 

The work of the visual art luminary applications will be judged on originality/creativity as well as skill and completeness. 

In addition to the universal criteria, visual art luminary applications will be judged on originality/creativity and skill and completeness.  To evaluate originality/creativity, judges will ask the question: "Has the artist created a rare piece that uses thoughtful, unique design?"  In judging skill and completeness, judges with ask: "Has the artist thought critically and shown mastery about tools and techniques to create a high-quality piece?" 

Private interviews 

Both poet laureates and visual art luminaries will engage in a private, in-person interview with part of the judging panel.  They will be judged on communication as well as confidence and presence.  The completed application will become a part of the judging criteria as well.  Specifically, the poet laureates will be asked about their poetry awareness project, which will be evaluated in part on the ability of the poet to execute the project.

Scoring

Judges will receive scoring sheets to record their responses and will return them for point calculation.