Overall Grand Winner Finn Mitchell, standing next to his Eiffel Tower creation, is interviewed by event organizer Dr. Scott Ebbrecht.
Fourth grade Fouse Elementary School student Finn Mitchell was named Overall Grand Winner at the 10th annual Westerville City Schools Lego Competition held April 9 at Heritage Middle School. Dr. Scott Ebbrecht, facilitator of the annual event, proclaimed to the nearly 125 student participants and their family members that “Perseverance has paid off!” Mitchell expressed that while he had participated in the district’s annual LEGO competition since kindergarten, he had yet to win. According to Dr. Ebbrecht, “Finn’s interpretation of the Eiffel Tower, along with portraying a painter on the streets of Paris, was both creative and impressive.” Adding to the enjoyment of spectators this year was witnessing three members from one family – the Ryjewski’s – win within their respective grade levels - a LEGO competition first!
Each year participants provide their own Legos. They are allowed to build anything they want during the competition, but nothing can be pre-built prior to the contest. No directions to Lego sets are permitted. Parental assistance is not allowed, but family members and friends may watch from a designated viewing area. Each grade level is judged independent of the other grade levels by a panel of volunteers with no affiliation to participants.
Other Best of Show winners were:
- Overall Best of Show for Most Creative - Colin Smiley (Alcott, 4th grade); and
- Overall Best of Show for Most Realistic - Savanna Hooker (Hanby, 3rd grade).
Each contestant received a Certificate of Participation, and two winners per grade level were recognized and awarded Lego prizes:
- Kindergarten - Most Realistic, Theo Ryjewski (Mark Twain); Most Creative, Jonathan Gulley (Alcott)
- Grade 1 - Most Realistic, Heidi Busch (Hanby); Most Creative, Lincoln Haman (Mark Twain)
- Grade 2 - Most Realistic, Brayden Burgess (Mark Twain); Most Creative, Josie Ryjewski (Mark Twain)
- Grade 3 - Most Realistic, Luke Haman (Emerson); Most Creative, Allison French (Alcott)
- Grade 4 - Most Realistic, Evelyn Clark (Fouse); Most Creative, Gabe Ryjewski (Mark Twain)
- Grade 5 - Most Realistic, Trey Rutherford (Annehurst); Most Creative, Maxton Sprowls (Fouse)
The event was supported, in part, by Meijer, Bricks 4 Kidz, Home Depot, Lakeshore Learning, and Toys-R-Us. Proceeds from the event benefited Westerville's Elementary Leadership Summit and the Children Supporting Children Foundation.