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We have a winner:
TEXAS MAN
OUTBUILDS 22 HOPEFULS TO BECOME NEW MODEL BUILDER AT LEGOLAND® CALIFORNIA
CARLSBAD, Calif. (May 23, 2006) - Hopeful contenders came from as far away as
Virginia to compete in a battle of creativity and strategy, but only one has
been offered the elite position of Model Builder at LEGOLAND® California. Jason
Poland from Houston, Texas will get paid to play with toys after beating out 22
other finalists in the ultimate build-off at the family theme park in Carlsbad
today.
Each finalist was allowed to pre-select up to ten-pounds of LEGO® bricks the
day before the competition and was also supplied with bins of assorted LEGO
elements at today’s competition. Finalists had two hours to use their
imagination and build a LEGO model that would fit well into an existing LEGOLAND
attraction or would be a good addition to the 128-acre theme park. Judges Pat
DeMaria, Model Shop manager, John Jakobsen, president and general manager of
LEGOLAND California and Liz Erickson, president of The Art Institute of
California, San Diego, were impressed by all of the models built today, but felt
that Poland’s model was the best.
“Jason did well in his interview and in the skills assessment tests. That
combined with the snowman breathing fire model he built today in just two hours
demonstrates his overall creativity, three-dimensional visualization and ability
to use various LEGO bricks,” said Pat DeMaria, manager of the Model Shop. “I
think Jason is going to be an incredible asset to the team and we’re looking
forward to his help with Pirate Shores this summer.”
Pirate Shores, the Park’s new area opening June 21, is the main reason LEGOLAND
California went on a seven-city nationwide search for a new Model Builder. More
than 150 LEGO models are being installed in the water-based area thus increasing
the work load for the Model Shop.
There were three other top contenders chosen today by the judges: Clay Hervey
from Mesquite, Texas, Jarad Barkdoll from San Francisco, California and Sarah
Hall from Louisville, Kentucky. They each received a LEGO trophy and will be on
top of a waiting list for the next open Model Builder position.
Famous for its elaborate recreations of major world cities and more than 50
rides, shows and attractions, LEGOLAND California embarked on a four-month
nationwide search to find its next Model Builder in February, 2006. Starting at
LEGOLAND in San Diego, the search went to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix,
New York, Dallas and Chicago. In each city, applicants had just one hour to
create a pirate-themed model. Twenty-three finalists were chosen to come out to
California for the ultimate build-off and to vie for the elite position of Model
Builder. With the addition of Poland, the LEGOLAND California Model Builder team
now has six members, bringing the world-wide total of Model Builders at all four
LEGOLAND Parks to 21.
Poland will leave Houston where he is currently a non-profit art teacher and
cartoonist to move to Carlsbad and begin his dream job. He will have 30 days in
which to start his new job and to join the team of LEGOLAND Model Builders who
design, build and maintain the more than 15,000 LEGO models in the family theme
park in Carlsbad, CA.
LEGOLAND® California is a 128-acre interactive theme park dedicated to families
with children between the ages of two and 12. Just like with LEGO® play
materials, kids are the ones who create the action at the Park. They drive,
pedal, squirt, climb, jump, stomp, slide, steer, pull, click, push, gallop,
laugh, build and program their way through more than 50 rides, shows and
attractions. There are three other LEGOLAND Parks in the world – LEGOLAND
Billund in Denmark, LEGOLAND Windsor outside of London and LEGOLAND Deutschland
near Günzburg, Germany. The LEGOLAND theme parks are a part of Merlin
Entertainments Group. For the most current information, log on to
www.LEGOLAND.com or call (760) 918-LEGO.
Marc Nelson Jr.
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