Ask the Pro Question "Do Judges Compare Marks"

[Larinda McRaven]

"Do you, as a judge, ever compare your marks with other judges marks?"

At Emerald Ball I was able to ask Didio Barrera and Keith Todd this question...
In a jumble of lively talking over each other, pretty much the answer was "Don't ask us! We collect the marks at the end of every competition and take them home. We have to look at them for the newspaper. Don't ask us!"

So lucky me, Ken Sloan walked into the conversations and I asked him.
His straight forward answer was "No!"
I said "Ever?"
Ken said "No, why would I? I am hired for my opinion, not theirs."

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Ken Sloan was a 2 times US National Professional Standard Champion with his wife, Shelia Webber-Sloan. They represented the USA in the World Championships several times. Ken and Shelia founded the Emerald Ball Dance Championships and opened the Sloan and Sloan Studio in Hollywood, in the 1970's. They eventually moved the studio to Glendale, where Ken still resides and coaches today.

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Keith Todd and Didio Berrara are popular Judges and DJs. They also own and run "Dance Beat" the premier news source for ballroom information in the US.

[BasicsFirst]

I know of at least ONE, I speak with him/her every week. And you know the old saying, 'where you can see ONE (of whatever), there's 12 more that you can't see' (substitute whatever number you see fit). Now I'm not saying anyone's marks are being swayed or influenced (cause they're not), BUT they (or some) ARE "looking" for whatever reason. Personally I think they're entitled to, if they're so inclined.