Interview

This interview will be approximately 15-20 minutes and seeks to allow for the interview panel to put a face to words and resumé. The questions would be derived from the topics provided as the basis for the Pillars of Homecoming Queen.

It would be the goal of the process to schedule all interviews concurrently to ensure that candidates all have fair opportunity and representation. Candidates would come to their interview and then schedule their headshot photo and conduct any other video recording or items needed for the campaign process (post application) under the Director for Halftime and Reception from the UA Homecoming Board. This individual would host the candidates and be an impartial assistance to getting them the proper schedule for participation in info sessions and appearance scheduling for members of the court.

Interview Scheduling

An interview date will be listed on the timeline and in the application submission form. Candidates should make plans to be available for at least 30-40 minutes during the specified time block. Interviews may be recorded for viewing by panel members in the event of review panel scheduling conflicts.

Interview Questions

A set of questions (below) would be asked of each candidate by the panel that may include, but not be limited to the following.

Service

  • Can you describe a specific project or initiative you’ve been involved in that demonstrates your commitment to serving your community? What was your role and what impact did it have?
  • How do you plan to use the platform of homecoming queen to promote and encourage service within our school and local community?

Leadership

  • Describe a situation where you had to lead a team or project. What strategies did you use to ensure success, and how did you handle any conflicts or obstacles that arose?
  • As homecoming queen, you would be a role model for your peers. How do you plan to inspire and motivate others, and what qualities do you believe are essential for effective leadership?

Character

  • Can you provide an example of a time when you had to make a difficult ethical decision? What was the situation, and how did you handle it?
  • How do you demonstrate empathy and respect in your daily interactions with others, and how will these qualities contribute to your role as homecoming queen?

Scholarship

  • How do you balance academic responsibilities with extracurricular activities, and how has your approach to managing these commitments prepared you for the role of homecoming queen?
  • Can you discuss a time when you faced an academic challenge and how you overcame it? How will the skills you used in that situation help you fulfill the responsibilities of homecoming queen?

Interview Rubric

Individuals from the interview panel will utilize the below rubric to score each interview. Each of the five categories can be scored up to 20 points. With five scorers, the interviews are worth up to 500 points total.

Service

Project/Initiative Involvement (10 Points)

Excellent
Provides a clear, impactful example; demonstrates significant role and measurable impact.
Above Average
Provides a strong example; shows a notable role and impact.
Average
Gives a relevant example; role and impact are reasonably clear.
Below Average
Example is vague; role and impact are not clearly defined.
Poor
Example is unclear or irrelevant; minimal impact.

Promoting Service (10 Points)

Excellent
Presents a well-thought-out plan with creative ideas for encouraging service; shows a strong understanding of community needs.
Above Average
Provides a solid plan with some creative elements; demonstrates a good understanding of community needs.
Average
Offers a feasible plan; shows a basic understanding of community needs.
Below Average
Plan is under-developed; limited understanding of community needs.
Poor
Plan is unclear or impractical; minimal understanding of community needs.

Leadership

Leading a Team or Project (10 Points)

Excellent
Describes a complex situation with effective strategies; handles conflicts or obstacles adeptly.
Above Average
Provides a strong example with effective strategies; handles conflicts or obstacles well.
Average
Gives a relevant example with adequate strategies; handles conflicts or obstacles reasonably.
Below Average
Example is basic; strategies and conflict resolution are not well-developed.
Poor
Example is unclear or irrelevant; poor strategies and conflict resolution.

Inspiring and Motivating Others (10 Points)

Excellent
Provides a compelling vision; demonstrates a deep understanding of effective leadership qualities.
Above Average
Offers a solid vision; shows a good understanding of key leadership qualities.
Average
Provides a general vision; demonstrates basic understanding of leadership qualities.
Below Average
Vision is vague; limited understanding of leadership qualities.
Poor
Vision is unclear or missing; poor understanding of leadership qualities

Character

Ethical Decision-Making (10 Points)

Excellent
Provides a well-articulated example of a difficult ethical decision; demonstrates strong moral reasoning.
Above Average
Gives a clear example; shows good moral reasoning.
Average
Provides a relevant example; demonstrates basic moral reasoning.
Below Average
Example is unclear or lacks detail; limited moral reasoning.
Poor
Example is irrelevant or missing; poor moral reasoning.

Empathy and Respect (10 Points)

Excellent
Demonstrates exceptional empathy and respect in interactions; clearly relates these qualities to the role.
Above Average
Shows strong empathy and respect; relates these qualities well to the role.
Average
Demonstrates basic empathy and respect; relates these qualities adequately to the role.
Below Average
Limited demonstration of empathy and respect; weak relation to the role.
Poor
Minimal empathy and respect demonstrated; unclear relation to the role.

Scholarship

Balancing Responsibilities (10 Points)

Excellent
Demonstrates exceptional time management and organizational skills; provides specific, effective strategies used.
Above Average
Shows strong time management and organizational skills; provides good strategies used.
Average
Adequate time management and organizational skills; provides general strategies used.
Below Average
Limited time management and organizational skills; vague strategies used.
Poor
Poor time management and organizational skills; lacks effective strategies.

Overcoming Academic Challenges (10 Points)

Excellent
Provides a detailed, insightful example; demonstrates resilience and effective problem-solving.
Above Average
Gives a clear example; shows good problem-solving skills and resilience.
Average
Provides a relevant example; demonstrates basic problem-solving skills.
Below Average
Example is unclear or lacks detail; limited problem-solving skills.
Poor
Example is irrelevant or missing; poor problem-solving skills.

Personal Presence and Professionalism

Personal Presence (10 Points)

Excellent
Exhibits strong confidence, enthusiasm, and engagement; makes a positive, lasting impression.
Above Average
Shows confidence, enthusiasm, and engagement; makes a good impression.
Average
Demonstrates basic confidence and engagement; makes a neutral impression.
Below Average
Limited confidence or engagement; makes a minimal impression.
Poor
Lacks confidence and engagement; makes a poor impression.

Professionalism (10 Points)

Excellent
Displays exemplary professionalism; communicates clearly and respectfully; well-prepared and organized.
Above Average
Shows strong professionalism; communicates effectively; generally well-prepared and organized.
Average
Demonstrates basic professionalism; communicates adequately; somewhat prepared and organized.
Below Average
Demonstrates basic professionalism; communicates adequately; somewhat prepared and organized.
Poor
Poor professionalism; unclear or disrespectful communication; unprepared and disorganized.