Editor’s Note: Today we have a special treat! Sara Mox, Former Judge Community Manager at Wizards of the Coast, has written a letter to all of us at Judge Academy to help introduce our first Promo for the Jan 2020 Mailing!
Hello, Magic Judges,
When I met you, I was burned out. I was in the middle of my short run at a career in politics, disillusioned and unsure how I wanted to make an impact on the world. We met in 2014, at Grand Prix Sacramento. I doubt you remember me, but I remember you so very well. I remember bright faces greeting me, eager to help me find my way through the maze of tables, to find the Magic experience that was right for me (I happened to be there to scrub out of my first GP). I remember kind, authoritative faces on the stage, bustling with efficiency that made things go smoothly during the long day. I remember helpful floor judges, correcting errors and answering questions. Mostly, I remember the joy I saw in everyone in black and burgundy. That event was when I knew where I wanted to place my ambitions next and where I wanted to be in the Magic community; the moment my spark ignited.
You supported me. You became my chosen family as you helped me learn the deeper layers (and the actual layers!) of the best, most complex game on Earth. You picked me up endlessly as I struggled with rules exams and encouraged me as I found different ways to contribute to the community. In my “Level 1 Introduction” post (and many times since) I quoted Isaac Newton: “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants”. You are all giants whose knowledge and passion for Magic have left a mark that can never be erased. I have learned so much of who I am today through you, Judges. I have learned self-care and professionalism, how to be a good team member, how to lead.
Magic judges have shaped who I am and who I will be, and I am so proud of the time I’ve spent supporting and being part of your community.
Though I can never fully give back what you’ve given to me, I have a small gift for you today. I wanted to give you something to mark the beginning of the next 20 years of judging. Say hello to Archie the Owl!
Starting in 2020, all judge promos will have this unique expansion symbol. This symbol represents who you are to me and to the Magic community: wise, watchful teachers. Along with the expansion symbol, I wanted to give you your first promo preview for 2020, Enlightened Tutor!
Thank you so much, for everything. Your future is as assured and bright as ever. I can’t wait to see you bring what you know to the wider gaming community, to teach and to learn, and to continue transforming the lives of gamers like myself.
Sara Mox
Final Note: You didn’t think we were going to leave you hanging with just 1 of the cards did you?
Click here to see all four Promos together!
nice cards and nice logo,
but in the other blog message about the upcomming dates there was told we would also be seen 2 of the conference promos or am i wrong?
On Facebook someone said that they will be announced soon, but JA wanted to do the conference foils separately so that it was 100% clear which were conference and which were membership.
ah ok thanks
So, do we get these at a set date or is it in relation to when we signed up? Gonna be sad if I have to wait until November of next year for these.
I am also interested in this answer. I am currently waiting on being made L1, so I suppose there is no way I could be included with this wave?
https://judgeacademy.com/kyle-wants-to-talk-about-promos/
Promo mailings are scheduled for January 15th and July 15th. If you are signed up by the last day of the previous month, you should be eligible, based on that blog post.
Perfect, thanks.
Thank you, Sara for the article. Love Archie. Will we be seeing the owl in other ways, aside from the promos? And the promos are gorgeous
I hope we will see Archie in other ways, where else would you like to see him? 😀
A judge shirt pin with Archie, hoodie, d6 with the 6 being Archie, and of coarse a belt buckle.
The package is unfortunately only half as much as the previous one. I would have liked Grim Tutor.
Thanks Sarah for the article
Just trying to wrap my head around this. Is the first mailing on Jan 15th the first four promos (Chalice, Mentor, Pool, Yuriko) or these four tutors? Or both? Or were the first four promos (Chalice, Mentor, Pool, Yuriko) only for the early sign up? I thought they were part of the first wave. *confused*
The first four promos were/are for early sign-up only. If you are in a serviced area, they should be in the mail already. For those who are not yet “covered” by JA and decide to sign up by the end of January, those same first foils will be sent with their first wave on Feb.15.
The tutor foils will be the first wave for 2020, normally mailed out around January 15.
Sara,
Thank you for the awesome words and your continued support of the program. These cards are amazing and I look forward to what the future holds for all of us.
Sara, thanks for all your hard work as the community manager and making Judge Academy possible. You have been an incredible advocate and I look forward to seeing how the program grows and changes in the future you helped found.
<3
Hi Sara
Thanks for the article and the sneak peak into our new identity.
I love the references “to be a judge” printed within the cards.
They are definitely keepers and reminders of why I am in the program.
I think the Enlightened Tutor’s flavor text is an Easter egg for the Judge Academy! Thanks for this.
Hello I’m going to sign up for my level one this weekend and I wanted to know if I’m going to have this promo or another wave of others promos ???
Hi all,
I have the same question as others but I didn’t see a clear answer. I just paid for my L1 membership this morning. Will I be getting these promos?
Are the membership promos going to be foils as well? Or only conference support promos are foils?