Contest depicts military life through interlocking blocks

By Gabrielle KuholskiJuly 29, 2013

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1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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Fort Huachuca, AZ. - Local Lego® enthusiasts presented their best military-themed creations in Fort Huachuca's first-ever Lego® Building Competition at Murr Community Center this month, hosted by the Family & Morale, Welfare and Recreation Directorate. Twelve entries depicted a range of military life including installations, combat planes and vehicles.

Contestants fell into four different age groups: 4-6, 7-10, 11-17 and 18 or older. While the majority of entries came from children, there was one adult entry. Each contestant had to follow rules of using no kits to create their entries, and the Lego® creation had to fit on a 24-by-24 inch square. Amber Kinslow, FMWR advisor, found the Lego® builds to be extremely detail-oriented.

"[People were] very surprised at the creativity of the young kids," Kinslow said. "That was the criteria; they had to build it themselves -- they couldn't have an adult help them."

Contestants had about a month to put their creation together. From July 15 through Sunday, anyone could stop by Murr Community Center to look at the models and judge the entries. There were 158 votes which were tallied Monday to determine the winners.

Philip Smith took the 4-6 year-old category with "Buffalo Soldier Huachuca." Eric Cunningham won first place for "USS Iowa," and Mateo Incorvaia's "UAV School" finished 2nd in the 7-10 age group. Jermaine Maisonet was the winner in the 11-17 category with "Capturing Bin Laden," and Sue Higgins took first place among those 18 and older with her "Rhino IED Vehicle."

According to Kinslow, since this was the first competition, every participant walked away with a prize, whether they won in their age category or not. Each of the Lego®-lovers received none other than more Legos®, and Higgins, adult winner, received a small set of Legos® and a gift card.

The idea for the event came from Lourdes Hupp, FMWR recreation specialist. She learned that other installations were hosting their own Lego® contests.

"I came across that event and said, 'you know, this is something I could bring to Fort Huachuca,'" Hupp explained.

Seeing the interest and success of the contest, Hupp and the rest of the FMWR team plan to host another Lego® Building Competition in October. For more information, contact the Murr Community Center, 533.2404.