Judith Coffman, 72, has been a professional pageant coach and judge for more than 30 years. On vacation in the Cayman Islands, she spends some time to share what it’s like working with girls in the Caribbean territory.
“I love working with teenagers. They are the most challenging, but the most fun,” she said. “The Cayman girls are the sweetest young adults I have ever worked with and the parents are delightful. I fell in love with all of it, especially [Grand Cayman] and that is why I keep coming back even though I am not always involved with the girls. I love it here.”
Ms Coffman was first invited to Grand Cayman by Miss Cinderella pageant organiser Celeste Broderick to help Cayman girls prepare for the contest locally and overseas. Involved with the girls for more than 20 years, she has coached more than 50 girls including some entering the Miss Cayman contest.
The challenge she finds with Cayman girls is they are not dedicated to their talent. “I understand a smaller island, state or city is not going to have the resources to develop a talent like they do in Miami or New York or New Orleans, but that is where the girls need the most help,” she said.
Ms Coffman also stressed the interview question fielded by contestants is important. “The interview is the most important aspect of the pageant and many people do not realise that the whole competition is usually won or lost in the interview room. In Cayman, what I found challenging with the girls was the interview,” she said.
“They seem a little too formal and have difficulty just having a conversation and relaxing with the judges, which is what judges want to see. I thought they were a little bit shy and so respectful to adults,” which she said was not a bad thing, but it made them a bit too formal.
Ms Coffmaan said having a good personality also went a long way. “The judges are looking for someone that’s warm, friendly; happy to be there and can speak to anyone and not be shy,” she said.
No stranger to Grand Cayman, Ms Coffman made the Island her vacation destination and more than the 50 odd years have formed many friendships within the community such as Kurt Tibbetts’ family.
Ms Coffman graduated from Louisiana State University located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana as a theatre and speech major, and at the time being a beauty coach seemed like a natural fit.
While in college she shared her talents with friends competing in beauty pageants by offering advice and guidance and her career just evolved from there. After college, she taught modelling, drama and speech in New Orleans.
Never entering a pageant herself she said she never had an interest in competing but was always asked the question, “Have you ever competed in a pageant?” she said.
Asked if she was quitting any time soon, Ms Coffman said while she is mentally and physically able she will keep going. “I love what I do. I love seeing the girls develop, lose their shyness, develop talent and go on to represent their country proudly.
Today with a consultant group in many US states such as New York, Washington and Florida, which consists of a network of professionals acquired by Ms Coffman throughout her decades in the entertainment and pageant industry, she presents a wide variety of resources available for client’s benefits.
Ms Coffman has been married to Buddy for the past 46 years. In recent years she moved to Richmond, Virginia to be near her grand children.
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