{"id":1118,"date":"2025-07-05T18:18:27","date_gmt":"2025-07-05T18:18:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.magicjudges.org\/exemplar\/?p=1118"},"modified":"2025-07-05T18:20:32","modified_gmt":"2025-07-05T18:20:32","slug":"the-legacy-and-revival-of-the-exemplar-program-a-judges-journey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.magicjudges.org\/exemplar\/the-legacy-and-revival-of-the-exemplar-program-a-judges-journey\/","title":{"rendered":"The Legacy and Revival of the Exemplar Program: A Judge’s Journey"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Perry Kraker – L3 USA Midatlantic<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Prior to 2020, the Exemplar Program served as a platform for publicly recognizing the outstanding contributions of Judges within the community. Participants could visit JudgeApps to compose brief commendations detailing the exceptional work of their peers. Once the nomination period\u2014referred to as Waves\u2014concluded, the recipients were notified and celebrated for their achievements. It was one of the best days as a Judge. You were able to read about all the Exemplary things your fellow Judges were doing, too.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The new Exemplar Program has launched!<\/a> Its first window for writing nominations has opened and will close in the middle of August. Reflecting on its impact, the legacy Exemplar Program stands as one of the most significant initiatives within the Judge program, fostering appreciation and community. They stay on your profile and can be looked back on to remember those that had an impact on you, and the impact you made on others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was privileged to receive a nomination from CJ Crooks during the final <\/em>Exemplar Wave of the legacy program in the summer of 2018\u2014an acknowledgment I will always value. He wrote,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c<\/span>Weird to think this may be the last exemplar I write you. You continue to be a role model for judges of all levels. This time I’d like to recognize your work on social media channels to keep the Eastern NC community going. There are not many opportunities in our community to stay on top of the game, your updates and posts keep everyone aware of the ongoing changes to the program and MTG policy. I saw a judge running a competitive event (SCG Trial) and reference your post to find the right answer. Thank you for your dedication to our community. Thanks for the Missed Trigger Guide too.<\/em><\/strong>\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The existence of the Exemplar Program made this recognition, and several others possible. Now, with the program relaunched, others will have the opportunity to experience such meaningful acknowledgment again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perry’s Background<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This next part is to give you some context on my time as a Judge and why the Exemplar Program is so dear to my heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you remember your first encounter with a Judge? My first Judge encounter? It was a life-altering event, good buddy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There I am, the TCGPlayer.com State Championship in Raleigh, North Carolina (Modern, 100+ Players). I\u2019m there playing a Mono-Green Devotion deck that I\u2019ve been nurturing with a full playset of Genesis Wave. I even splurged on a Verdant Catacombs\u2014because clearly, that\u2019s what\u2019s going to make my deck unstoppable. It did not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was 2015. Splinter Twin was running rampant. I went 0-3 faster than you can say \u201cDeceiver Exarch,\u201d and by round 4, I\u2019m just there for the free air conditioning and the existential crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, I draw my opening hand for round 4, and guess what? That glorious Verdant Catacombs is staring back at me like the Holy Grail. Excited, I slam that fetch land down like I\u2019m declaring war on gravity\u2014and then I draw. My opponent, who up until this moment was all smiles and casual chit-chat, suddenly morphs into the town crier and belts out, \u201cJUDGEEE!!!\u201d I swear the decibel level could\u2019ve set off car alarms in the parking lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So here comes the Judge\u2014black shirt, stern face, with an aura of \u201cI took this job to keep people like you in line.\u201d My opponent explains the heinous crime: I played a land and then drew a card. The Judge looks at me like I just robbed a bank and proceeds to give me a dressing down. Apparently, my innocent excitement was indistinguishable from an elaborate cheating scheme. I try to explain, \u201cI was just excited about my fetch land!\u201d but the Judge shuts me down, \u201cDo it again,\u201d they said, \u201cand we\u2019ll assume you’re cheating and kick you out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rest of that game? A masterclass in quiet quitting. Then, I made the long drive home, accompanied only by the sound of my shattered dreams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A local store informed me of an upcoming Star City Games Invitational Qualifier (IQ) they hired a Judge for and invited me to assist and test to become a Judge. I prepared thoroughly – purchasing a black button-up shirt, belt, and polishing my black shoes, ensuring a professional appearance inspired by my Marine background.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the next week, I immersed myself in studying. I listened to JudgeCast episodes, created an apps.magicjudges account, and reviewed message boards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite all my preparation, I underestimated the multifaceted responsibilities of a Judge, which extend beyond handling rulings and calls to include the overall management of an event. Fortunately, the Judge I collaborated with that day embodied mentorship and patience, taking the time to guide me through the intricacies of the role, including scorekeeping and operational logistics. This immersive experience was invaluable, offering me an opportunity to learn in a supportive environment. This Judge was Exemplary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This Judge set a new standard from what I\u2019d previously experienced in Raleigh. Approachable, attentive, and fair, they listened carefully to each situation, asked thoughtful questions, and communicated rulings with respect and clarity. Their commitment to fostering a welcoming and just environment left a lasting impression, inspiring me to carry that same spirit forward in my own judging journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With their support and guidance, I became a Judge that day. I firmly believe that without the mentorship of this particular Judge, the insights I gained from JudgeCast, and the collective knowledge shared by Judges on Apps, I couldn\u2019t have succeeded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exemplary Actions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Everyone’s judge journey begins differently. Sometimes it’s driven by the desire for better-run tournaments at local stores, and other times by moments like Brook’s<\/a>\u2014or mine. That drive home from Raleigh was the turning point for me. It was in this first encounter (and the grey in my hair) that taught me the moments we create today are the memories we\u2019ll remember tomorrow. Exemplar helps capture that in writing and other memories made when read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I began by asking about your first encounter with a Judge. Over the years, I\u2019ve heard various stories that don\u2019t always cast us in the best light, and a few that show just how incredible we can be. But unfortunately, those fantastic positive interactions and moments aren\u2019t always the ones that receive the recognition they deserve. When was the last time Reddit had a thread about the great Judge?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the Judge community, feedback is frequently emphasized. We often focus on pointing out areas for improvement rather than celebrating what went exceptionally well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s where the Exemplar program comes in\u2014it provides us with an opportunity to give well-deserved accolades and highlight the great work being done in a meaningful, visible way. Below are some of the shining moments I\u2019ve celebrated in the legacy Exemplar Program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is one for Angela from Winter 2018. This occurred at a game store in Morganton, North Carolina. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen I think of what a Magic Judge should be, often I come back to your player communication and the great many things that you do at each event. Of particular note during this exemplar period was when you stepped up to help judge a PPTQ that was 5-hours away from your home. This was the first PPTQ for this store, and the tournament organizer wanted the player experience to be at an all-time high. Before we could even sit players for the first round, WER <\/strong><\/em>[Editor\u2019s Note: WER = Wizards Event Reporter; it\u2019s the precursor to Eventlink<\/strong>] <\/span>added a player twice and wouldn\u2019t work appropriately while troubleshooting. You took the initiative to get the WER working correctly, and had it all finished without a visible effect or time loss to the event. After finishing this, you went into teaching mode and ensured two judge candidates knew of appropriate ways of handling judge calls and preforming deck checks. I couldn\u2019t be more impressed with the change in their behaviors and customer service. It truly is a testament to your thorough knowledge in these areas, and ability to convey this information to others to act upon. Not for a moment did I ever think the event wouldn\u2019t be ran to the highest quality. I couldn\u2019t have been more impressed with your tenacity and willingness to go above and beyond what is expected. Many players came up to me and spoke highly of your customer service. Your event awareness is well above your peers. You reflect great credit upon yourself and the judge program.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Here is one for Michelle from Winter 2019. This was at her local game store in Wilmington, North Carolina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMichelle, I am always excited to see you running an event that I attend. I can tell I\u2019m not the only one, too, because your players respect you. This was particularly on point at the Prerelease for Ravnica Allegiance, when you Head Judged another large event (over 100 players!) with minimal staff. During one of your judge calls, at my table no less, we had a player who clearly was upset about a wide variety of things. You were able to navigate the waters and get them back on track, while not losing the respect from the player in the process! I look forward to coming to another event with you judging. Great Job!\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Here is one for Sean from Fall 2017. To this day, his preparedness shapes mine each event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSean, your preparation and dedication to your Sides Team Lead at SCG Charlotte was outstanding. It is apparent that you place the event and other judges first. You prepared your own charts and graphs to allow your team and players to have simple and streamlined information available to them. All events had the appropriate judges in place, and all with appropriate placement and timely launching. I spoke with two of the judges on your team Saturday at great length, and they all came away with better practices and techniques that will certainly shape events in the future for the better. You are the high tide that raises all ships.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n\n\n\n

These recognition’s are just a few snapshots of the everyday excellence that often goes unseen. They remind us that impactful judging isn\u2019t always about rulings, it\u2019s about leadership, presence, and care. And that\u2019s exactly what the Exemplar Program helps bring to light. As we bring back Exemplar, we have the opportunity to shape the judge culture together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having the chance to do this again, I\u2019ll be honest, it really makes me happy.  I love spotlighting the incredible ways Judges leave their mark and prove that their magic goes far beyond the cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve seen a Judge make a difference lately, whether it was on the floor or a quiet moment of mentorship, take a few minutes to recognize them through Exemplar. Take the time to uplift others, embrace opportunities, and build the future of this incredible judging journey together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exemplar makes space for this.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Prior to 2020, the Exemplar Program served as a platform for publicly recognizing the outstanding contributions of Judges within the community. Participants could visit JudgeApps to compose brief commendations detailing the exceptional work of their peers. Once the nomination period\u2014referred to as Waves\u2014concluded, the recipients were notified and celebrated for their achievements. It was one […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":441,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"language":[9],"class_list":["post-1118","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","language-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.magicjudges.org\/exemplar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1118","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.magicjudges.org\/exemplar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.magicjudges.org\/exemplar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.magicjudges.org\/exemplar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/441"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.magicjudges.org\/exemplar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1118"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.magicjudges.org\/exemplar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1118\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1139,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.magicjudges.org\/exemplar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1118\/revisions\/1139"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.magicjudges.org\/exemplar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1118"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.magicjudges.org\/exemplar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1118"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.magicjudges.org\/exemplar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1118"},{"taxonomy":"language","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.magicjudges.org\/exemplar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/language?post=1118"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}