Gold!
I am very excited to share that I recently earned a promotion to become a Gold test judge for U.S. Figure Skating! After trialing 120+ high level tests (Silver, Pre-Gold, and Gold), I still did not have the minimum agreement percentages in order to apply for a promotion. However, I knew of one Gold judge that was in a similar situation during his trialing process, and he was able to influence his Sectional Vice Chair to overlook the shortfall.
After chatting with several seasoned judges at an in-person test session last month, they encouraged me to do the same. I explained the situation to my Sectional Vice Chair, and I told him that I would need to trial at least another 200 tests in order to meet the minimum standard (I did the math).
Much to my excitement, my Sectional Vice Chair agreed to flex the guidelines and allowed me to apply for the promotion. I completed the application, submitted my paperwork, and waited for next steps. A few short weeks later, I got the news after passing the exam.
For those wondering, the whole process took me about 12 months to earn both my Pre-Silver and Gold appointments. I started the journey in mid-February of 2025 (seeking a Pre-Silver appointment) and earned that in July 2025. Several months later, I was able to earn my Gold appointment (I began trialing those in July 2025). Your mileage may vary, as it will depend upon how much time you want to dedicate to trialing tests and whether you’re willing to do virtual tests.
I am so grateful for all the seasoned judges who have helped me along the way. If you or someone you know are interested in pursuing a judging appointment, feel free to connect with me if you want some tips or guidance. Note that I am only eligible to judge tests, as I do not hold an appointment for competitions (that is another available track that I am not eligible for since I am also a coach).
Yay!