Dean’s Awards – Interview Judging Overview

Dean’s Award interviews are a formal interview experience for competitors who received high scores on their portfolios. 4-H’ers are judged, among other things, on presence, ease, ability to answer questions, knowledge gained, and the quantity, quality, and variety of project work done by the 4-H’er over their career. Look for evidence of growth and development from their starting point to where they are today as a youth experiencing and participating in the 4‐H program.

Scoring Criteria

4-H’ers will be asked questions related to their portfolio as well as questions that require them to analyze and evaluate their project area work over their 4-H careers. 4-H’ers are scored based on the following criteria:
• General Appearance: Posture, Appropriate Dress, Visible Distractions 5%
• Organization and Delivery: Methods and Steps Used in Presentation 15%
• Experience Shared in Project Work: Quantity, Quality and Variety 30%
• Experience in Helping and Leading Others 20%
• Skills and Knowledge Gained from Experiences 15%
• Confidence, Creativity and Self-concept Exhibited and Shared: 15%

Strong Portfolios Will Show Evidence Of

The following questions are provided as examples. Judges may use these questions or create their own:
• How did you select this category for Dean Awards?
• What is your goal with your project work?
• What do you hope to accomplish with your project work?
• What have you learned from your experiences in this 4-H Project Work?
• Where did you learn the most about your project? Through what activities?
• How have you helped others in your community through this project?
• How have you applied what you have learned for the betterment of your community?
• Did you ever get discouraged in your project work? What kept you from being your discouraged?
• How did you manage time for this project work in relation to school and other activities?
• How are you using these skills in everyday life?
• What is the value of the skills you have gained through 4-H Project Work?
• How will you transfer these skills to your job/college and /or your future adult life?
• What are your future plans in terms of this project?