Seventh annual LEGO Contest inspires young engineers

CHESTER,Vt. — Three of the 2018 exhibits featured in the recent seventh annual LEGO Contest held — “The Jack House,” “Clock Tower” and “A House That’s Also Haunted” — will be on display at Chester’s Whiting Library until this month. The public is invited to see some of this year’s award-winning constructions and consider what might be a good entry for the 2019 contest.

The LEGO contest, held March 17, was sponsored by St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Chester. Thirty exhibitors in grades Pre-K through seven — and their siblings, parents, grandparents and friends — came from 11 towns in Vermont and two in New Hampshire. All attendees enjoyed drinks provided by Lisai’s Market in Chester and donuts, partially donated by Allen Brothers in Westminster, as they reviewed the many different entries and shared ideas and techniques for their constructions.  

Entry themes ranged from a boathouse, treehouse, skating rink, ski resort, fair, amusement park, pet village, haunted house, fire station, battle stations and warriors to a 6’4” clock tower.

Individual, team and family entries were judged by grade for originality, imagination and presentation. What met the eye was not always the whole of the exhibit. That’s why the judges always interview each entrant to discover his or her motivation, intent, challenges and special — often hidden — features of the design.

Judges David Carey, Doug Edson, and Everett Mosher of Chester; Andrew Pennell of Rockingham; and Gurion Lake of Brookfield, Vermont, then wrote personal comments on each exhibit card to let the contestants know what was most appealing or impressive to them and to emphasize the fact that the judges appreciated all the time, imagination, and skill involved in each entry.  Surprisingly, a good number of the students let the judges know that they keep their comment cards from year to year to inspire their next creation.

 Around noon, LEGO prizes were awarded to the winner and runner-up in each category, and a medal was given to every participant.  

Pre-K: First:  “The Jack House” by Alexander Taylor of Chester, VT*

Second:  “Sharker” by Emerson Kennedy of Chester, VT 

Kindergarten:First: “Flying Warrior” by Parker Nissenbaum of Perkinsville, VT

Second:  “Lego Levi” by Levi Taylor of Stratton Mountain, VT

First Grade:First:  “Baby’s Cave” by Shyloh and Sawyer Ouellette of Peru, VT

Second:  “Ninjago Lair” by Quincy Kennedy of Chester, VT

Second Grade:First:  “Lego Island Amusement Park” by Victoria Turco of Springfield, VT

Second: “Bryce’s Creation” by Bryce Taylor of Stratton Mountain, VT

Third Grade:First: “The Best Skating Rink” by Michelle Klepp of Baltimore, VT

Second:  “Boathouse” by Liam Heybyrne of Chester, VT

Fourth Grade:First:  “Oil Base 5” by Gabe Winther of Putney, VT

Second:  “Ski Resort” by Niah Doran of Chester, VT

Fifth Grade:    First:  “Clock Tower” by Colton Gaudette of Springfield, VT*

Second:  “The Pet Village” by Morgan Studin of Chester, VT

Sixth Grade:First:  “P.T.C. Headquarters 2.0” by Gabriel Trivino of Springfield, VT

Seventh Grade:  First:  “Lego City Fire Station” by Joe Gomez of Springfield, VT

Second:  “S.W.A.T. Team” by Joel Anders of Charlestown, NH

Family:First:  “Palace Party” by the Lake Family of Brookfield, VT

Second:  “A House That’s Also Haunted” by the Reineman-Howard Family of Windsor, 

VT*

Five special awards were also given.

First to Enter:  Third grader Michelle Klepp of Baltimore, VT

Motorized:  “The Clock Tower” by fifth grader Colton Gaudette of Springfield, VT

Most Vermont:  “Ski Resort” by fourth grader Niah Doran of Chester, VT 

Creators’ Choice:  “LEGO City Fire Station” by seventh grader Joe Gomez of Springfield, VT.  This award was voted the show’s favorite by the contestants themselves.  

Best in Show:  “Oil Base 5” by fourth grader Gabe Winther of Putney, VT

Three of the 2018 exhibits – “The Jack House,” “Clock Tower,” and “A House That’s Also Haunted” – will be on display at Chester’s Whiting Library until late April.  The public is invited to come see at their leisure some of this year’s award-winning constructions and consider what might be a good entry for the 2019 contest.