Taking a nostalgic look back at when students at St. Louis High School found joy and the simplest of things. For senior Bryan Wing, it was Legos that sparked his imagination. Wing has been collecting the colorful bricks for roughly 14 years and is still continuing the exciting hobby.
Yet, what is it that makes this block so appealing to those who buy them? To start, not only has the Lego company earned the name “the toy of the century,” once but it has earned it twice. The brick was launched in 1958 where it caught the attention of millions of children around the world creating endless creative possibilities, fostering problem-solving and fine motor skills, and providing a sense of accomplishment. The open-ended nature of the bricks allows children to build anything they can imagine by either following instructions or creating something entirely their own.
However, you don’t need to be a collector to enjoy Legos. Sophomore Braydynn Overla said, “My favorite memory with Legos is spending hours building them with my brother. We’d dump all the pieces on the floor and come up with the craziest ideas. Half the time we didn’t even follow the instructions we just made stuff up.” Overla also said, “looking back, it wasn’t really about the Legos, it was about that time together, the creativity, and how those moments built more than just plastic models, they built memories I’ll never forget making with my brother.”
Bryan Wing said, “I would always go to my cousin’s house when I was younger and everytime I went over we would play with Legos together. He gave me a box and loaded it up with a bunch of stuff that I could have and ever since then, I have had an unquenchable thirst for them and have collected them ever since. I do focus on mainly Marvel and Star Wars but I will buy from the other themes if they have pieces or builds I want to use to add onto builds and minifigs I already have.” Wing continued with, “There was a certain point in time however where I was obsessed with Lego Minecraft. I spent an entire summer buying every single set I could and built a Lego Minecraft world that stretched across three card tables. Legos have always been something for me to fall back on. Most hobbies have come and gone for me, but Legos have been there since day one.”
Wing concluded with, “Lego really spoke to me when I was younger because it was a tool for me to express and explore my creativity and still to this day I find myself finding new ways to add new storytelling and details to every build, scene, and minifigs. But if you are getting into collecting Lego, make sure you are doing it out of genuine interest. Collect things you have interest in and always wait a year after initial release for the prices to go down before buying sets unless it’s something you really want to get your hands on.”
In the end, Legos are more than just a plastic toy. They’re a tool for creativity and connection. Whether one’s carefully following the instruction booklet or letting his or her imagination run wild, creating unforgettable memories for a lifetime is what Legos are all about.
