![\"Zwanger\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.magicjudges.org\/jotw\/files\/2015\/07\/Zwanger.jpg\")
<\/a>Name:<\/strong> Steven Zwanger\nLevel:<\/strong> 3
\nLocation:<\/strong> Roanoke, VA
\nJudge start date:<\/strong>\u00a0 March 1997 (Grand Prix Washington DC), leveled to 2 in August 1998, leveled to 3 in April 2000.
\nWhy did you become a Judge?<\/strong>\u00a0 To give something back to the Magic community.
\nOccupation:<\/strong> Organized Play Coordinator for StarCityGames.com
\nFavorite card:<\/strong>\u00a0Booster Tutor<\/a>
\nLeast favorite card:<\/strong>\u00a0Balance<\/a>
\nFavorite format:<\/strong> Draft
\nCommander General:<\/strong> No
\nFavourite non-Magic Game:<\/strong> Bridge
\nBest tournament result:<\/strong> 2nd<\/sup> at a PTQ
\nRandom fact about yourself:<\/strong> I was a certified rape counselor for about five years.<\/p>\n
How has being a Judge influenced your non-Magic life?<\/strong> You were nominated by your exemplar recognitions.\u00a0 In your recognitions, your \u201cquiet leadership\u201d and your superb at-event mentorship were mentioned.\u00a0 Please tell us a little bit about what mentorship means to you and about your \u201cquiet\u201d leadership style. Similarly, when I am in a leadership position, I try to give everyone attention and include them in whatever discussions or activities our group is participating in.\u00a0 I behave the way I want my team members to behave, whether that means picking up trash, watching matches of Magic, being ready for the next set of paper, swiftly responding to floor calls, etc.\u00a0 I think a well-run tournament, with all that entails, is one of the most positive experiences we can provide to players, so I place a lot of emphasis on my team’s efficiency and effectiveness.<\/p>\n What is one tip you have for other Judges?<\/strong> What\u2019s the best part about your local Magic community?<\/strong> What is your favourite non-Magic hobby?<\/strong> What is your favourite non-Judging moment that happened with other Judges?<\/strong> What has been your favourite Magic event that you\u2019ve Judged?<\/strong> What positive aspects has the Judge Program contributed to your everyday life?<\/strong> What would you be doing now if Magic no longer existed?<\/strong> What is the strangest card interaction you have seen in a tournament?<\/strong> What is your favorite \u201cafter event\u201d story?<\/strong> If you were a creature what would be your creature type?<\/strong>How did you get involved in Magic in the first place?\u00a0<\/strong>
\nI learned it at a science fiction convention.\u00a0 I had a Vesuvan Doppelganger<\/a> in my hand, and the big question that stumped the table was whether it could copy a Legendary creature without itself dying.\u00a0 We eventually decided it could because it wasn\u2019t really that other creature \u2013 it was a doppelganger!\u00a0 (Duh!)<\/p>\n
\nI\u2019ve had so many wonderful opportunities to travel and sightsee in places I never would have gotten to if I hadn\u2019t been a judge.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Mentorship enables other people to learn.\u00a0 It’s very satisfying to see someone understand something they didn’t before and to know I helped get them to that point.\u00a0 Mentorship isn’t about me or proving how good I am; it’s about the other person and helping them become better.\u00a0 I carry a notebook to record interesting questions and discussion points that I can use for mentorship later; I also tailor my discussions to the ability and experience level of the other judge.\u00a0 For example, missed trigger questions are too confusing for most L1’s, and questions about power and toughness layers are unproductive for experienced L2’s.\u00a0 I also avoid corner cases, because they generally don’t teach anyone anything.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nWhat motivates you to continue being a Judge?<\/strong>
\nThe amazing people I get to work with at every event.<\/p>\n
\nBring a notebook to events so you can record interesting questions and situations, observations about other Judges, etc.\u00a0 Memories fade, so having a written reference is incredibly useful.<\/p>\n
\nThe players are really friendly.<\/p>\n
\nBoard games<\/p>\n
\nSeeing the Veronica Mars movie the day it came out with Ryan Hoffman<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMagic Weekend Paris<\/a>. \u00a0It was my first chance to meet and work with a lot of European Judges, and also my first time in Europe. \u00a0Our lunch break was going to a French supermarket and picking up baguettes and French cheese. \u00a0Paris was also my first time experiencing the European Judge custom of everyone bringing food to the event and sharing it on Friday night. (I think it’s become less common in the past couple of years). \u00a0On Saturday, David Hibbs<\/a>
\nI used to be extremely shy, and interacting with Judges has helped me overcome that.<\/p>\n
\nLooking for a job!<\/p>\n
\nNAP controls a Nightveil Specter<\/a> which has previously exiled a card.\u00a0 AP casts Domestication<\/a> on Nightveil Specter, and can now play the exiled card.<\/p>\n
\nThe Dinner of Infinite Milkshakes.<\/p>\n
\nAdvisor.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n