As Victoria Buckousis scrolled through Facebook one day, she discovered a contest held by Legoland Discovery Center Philadelphia. Winners would join the Creative Crew (a team of children that attends different events at the center), serve as ambassadors for the center’s grand opening, get the chance to try out and build new models for events and more. Then she thought of her 8-year-old son, Lyric, and his love for Legos.
Buckousis said Lyric has almost always been interested in building with toys, ever since he was baby. “When he was just about four, he got his first actual small Lego set,” said Buckousis, “…and it just took off from there.”
For a chance to become a member of the Creative Crew, Lyric made a short video, where he designed and made a creation of his own, and then explained why he wanted to be a part of the Legoland Creative Crew. Buckousis, 34, posted Lyric’s video to Facebook and waited to hear back. According to Legoland Discovery, a child’s enthusiasm and creativity were taken into consideration when deciding which children would get the chance to be a on the Creative Crew.
After a few weeks, thanks to Lyric’s imagination and Lego work, he was picked to become a member of the center’s Creative Crew, amongst 12 other talented children.
Buckousis cried when she found out that Lyric was chosen to be on the Creative Crew. When she was at work on a break, she received the message on her phone. She then called her husband, Raul Lugo, 34, to tell him the good news.
Buckousis has three children: Lyric, his older sister Cadence, 12 and younger sister Evolet, 1. She waited until both she and her husband could tell Lyric when they got home on the day they found out. “We had to agree that we wouldn’t tell him until we both got home because [Lugo] wanted to see his reaction, too,” Buckousis said.
As for Lyric’s reaction, he was “super happy” said Buckousis. “I don’t know that he was very surprised…he’s got all the confidence in the world in his Lego abilities.”
As a member of the Creative Crew, the children are invited to attend different events that Legoland holds. Events like the opening of “Lego City: Arctic Adventure,” a new experience created to celebrate the Philadelphia Discovery Center’s first birthday. The Creative Crew and other guests get the opportunity to try a digital interactive build table and create a arctic-worthy masterpiece made with Legos.
Lyric has so far only been able to attend one Creative Crew event, since many of them occur in the middle of the week. From his home to the Legoland Discovery Center near Philadelphia, it’s about an hour, which makes it a challenge for him and his parents to get to an event on the weekdays. However, Buckousis is hopeful that during the summer time when school ends for the year, that Lyric will be able to attend more Creative Crew events.
Lyric, via a head nod, said he is happy to be a member of this team. It gives him an opportunity to do something he loves—playing with his Legos. “It’s his passion,” his mom said.
Although Lyric may quiet at times, the Creative Crew member is confident in his Lego ability.
“I know he was really proud of himself, said Buckousis, “he’s a little quieter and to himself. I know he was proud of himself, not only for doing the video, but for being able to win the contest with it.”
Working towards creating a submission video was a big deal for Lyric, according to his mom. “Stepping out of that comfort zone to do it was a huge accomplishment for him,” said Buckousis.
Lyric now has the opportunity to learn about new Lego sets and experiences with the Creative Crew, and has the chance to make more of his very own creations. “He builds absolutely amazing things,” said Buckousis. Not only will Lyric have the chance to showcase his creativity, but he also gets to do what he loves.
8-year-old Lyric Buckousis,
