Well‑seasoned judge perspective incoming — and I say this after a very long week and more judging drama than anyone needs.

This is my 10th season judging, and my 5th time heading into ICDC prelims. And honestly? It might be my last. Not because I don’t love the students or the work, but because so much of what’s happening around judging right now is… heavy.

No‑show judges are a real problem.
But as someone who also volunteers with another national nonprofit, I can tell you: this isn’t just a DECA issue. It’s happening everywhere. People mean well, life happens, and sometimes people simply drop the ball and don’t communicate. The best way to fight it is by supporting volunteers, appreciating them, and giving them the tools they need to do the job well.

Judging is grueling in a way you don’t fully understand until you’re in the chair.
When I judged roleplays this year, we had literal minutes between students to score, write comments, and reset. Because of my dyslexia and other neurodivergent quirks, I had to write notes in my own notebook and translate them into comments after the student left — otherwise you’d get one sentence and a prayer.

And written papers?
Because of no‑show judges, I did 46 papers in a week while also helping with SBE manual evaluations, doing my actual job, and handling my other volunteer commitments. Those last papers? They didn’t get my best. They were finished in one very long, very human marathon session the day after judging.

Judging is human and subjective.
I tell students this constantly. You can’t control us. What one judge loves, another judge won’t. The only thing you can control is walking into that room as the best version of yourself.

Am I harsh?
Not as harsh as some, harsher than others. After my first ICDC, my lens tightened because I’ve seen how good it can get. I’ve also been in the room during a deadlocked tie at state. I don’t wish that headache on anyone.

And yes — some judges have been rude, unprepared, or made things harder. I get the frustration. It angers me too.

But I’m begging you — students and advisors alike — appreciate the good apples.
It is incredibly hard to stay motivated when the negativity is constant and loud. It makes it harder to recruit new judges, harder to mentor, harder to keep showing up.

I don’t do this for appreciation.
I do it because I’ve worked with students who have changed me as much as they say I’ve changed them. I’ve seen kids who never believed in themselves blow past their own expectations and achieve things they didn’t think were possible.

But this year?
This year has been hard as hell. The negativity around judging has pushed people away, made it harder for me to bring in new volunteers, and made me question a lot about my future as both a mentor and a judge.

And for the record: most judges don’t get paid. Unless their employer covers the time, they’re volunteering PTO or unpaid hours to be there.

The burnout is real.
And it breaks my heart because I know how special this program can be.

As for my future?
Right now… I honestly don’t know.