NHP boy crowned LEGO Mini Master

Elijah Estevez, 10, wins national competition with model of Coney Island Beach, Boardwalk

BY BRANDON DUFFY

Twenty hours and 2,500 LEGO bricks culminated in New Hyde Park’s Elijah Estevez being crowned the 2023 North American Mini Master Model Builder for his creation of Coney Island’s iconic boardwalk.

The 10-year-old was presented with a LEGO trophy and showered with confetti at Westchester’s Legoland Discovery Center July 12.

Elijah said he was inspired to create the Brooklyn beachscape since he and his family travel to Coney Island every year.

“There’s a bunch of people doing funny things like a puppy riding a surfboard and a guy on the swing in the beach,” Elijah said of his creation.

Elijah’s creation won it all after hundreds of submissions throughout the country were submitted. In late June, an online vote was held to decide between 14 finalists, each representing their local LEGO Discovery Center.

The Coney Island boardwalk, beach, rollercoasters and famous Wonder Wheel, fully automized, are included in Elijah’s work.

The mini master competition included submissions from kids aged 5 to 12, but LEGO competitions have long been around, showing off the creative capabilities of children and adults alike.

LEGO was founded in 1932 by

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In 1998, the FIRST LEGO League was founded with the non-profit

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