Filed from 2 published puzzles

PARAGONS

Set to 2 different clues across 2 published puzzles, most often “Ideals” — The New York Times, Friday, 14 April 2000.

8 letters

Every clue on record, most used first

Idealsonce
The New York Times — Friday, 14 April 2000
Models of excellenceonce
The New York Times — Tuesday, 10 February 1998

Other answers to these clues

OPTIMA6 letters
OPTIMUMS8 letters