LEGO Contest Wows Judges and Viewers

Over 150 adults and young people were fascinated by the original creations displayed at the 2013 LEGO Contest organized by St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Chester on Saturday March 2. Participating LEGO enthusiasts came from 12 towns in Vermont and six in New Hampshire. The 44 entries by children PreKindergarten through Seventh Grade provided imaginative constructions that intrigued and inspired both younger and older onlookers. Individual, team, and family entries were judged by grade for originality, imagination, and presentation.

Judges Chris Meyer of Chester, VT, and Chris Johnson of Concord, NH, spoke with each of the participants to learn in detail the aims and special features of their designs. The judges' positive comments to each of the participants let the contestants know what was most appealing or impressive to them and emphasized that the judges appreciated all the time, effort, and talent involved in each entry. So positive was the experience that many of this year's entrants are already planning what they will make for the 2014 contest!

At 12:15, right on schedule, LEGO prizes and participant ribbons were awarded to the class winners and runners-up and to the entries in several special categories. Class winners were as follows.

PreK:
First: Cyrus Gross of Cavendish, VT
Second: Adela Donath of Saxtons River, VT

Kindergarten:
First: Joachim Gibson of Chester, VT
Second: Odin Mitchell of Hanover, NH

First Grade:
First: Nielson Kasser of Saxtons River, VT
Second: Sydney Palmiotta of Walpole, NH

Second Grade:
First: Miles Caum of Chester, VT
Second: Cole McLaughlin of Concord, NH

Third Grade:
First: Ryan Colburn of Chester, VT
Second: Evan Hayes of Andover, VT

Fourth Grade:
First: Burton Townsend of Springfield, VT
Second: Noah Gutierrez of Acworth, NH

Fifth Grade:
First: Jacob and Rileigh Thomas of Chester, VT
Second: Michael Monk and Joey Gomez of Springfield, VT

Sixth-Eighth Grade:
First: Thomas Miller of Chester, VT
Second: Team Willis (Morgan, Field, and Carter) of Chester, VT

Family:
First: Gross Family of Cavendish, VT
Second: Garaffa Family of Grafton, VT

Four special awards were also given.

Most Vermont: "Sap Tank Trailer" by Cabot Townsend (Kindergarten) of Springfield, VT

Judges' Choice: "Skateboarder" by Cameron Koop (Grade 3) of Chester, VT

Best Team: "Artic Explorers: Expedition #1185" by Team Geisler (Piper, Gemma, and Jack) of Andover, VT

Best in Show: "Vermont Family Fun Center" by the Team Gross (Isabelle and Estelle) of Cavendish, VT

For additional pictures of the 2013 LEGO exhibits, visit www.stlukesepiscopalvt.org/special%20%20events.html.

Proceeds from the contest enabled St. Luke's to send a donation to the Children's Section at Chester's Whiting Library. For additional information about this year's event or to receive email notice next year about the 2014 contest, please contact Lillian Willis at 802-875-1340 or [email protected].