Legos build nostalgia brick by brick

Photo courtesy of Owen Fannin Owen Fannin completes his largest Lego set, the Eiffel Tower. Fannin placed the set’s halves together to finalize the massive build.

Boys and men at The King’s Academy have become more interested in the toys while also re-living childhood nostalgia. People change, family dynamics shift and kids grow out of childhood wonder, but one unforgettable toy stands the test of time: Legos. Their iconic shape, texture and unlimited potential serve as the “building blocks” to many students’ and adults’ childhoods. 

“Flowers, succulents and Formula One race cars helped fuel a 12% revenue bump for Lego during the first half of the year,” CNBC news said in an article Aug. 27. “The company reported a record…$5.4 billion, in revenue as part of its biannual earnings report…Operating profit rose 10% year over year to…$1.4 billion, [LEGO] said.”

With revenue rising for the company LEGO, interest in the toy at TKA has seemed to rise as well, bringing back nostalgia from student’s childhood. 

“I have always loved legos since I was little,” eighth grader Grant Cheesman said. “[One of] my earliest memories [with the toy] was when the ‘tooth fairy’ left me a big Lego Ninjago set when I was about six years old, and it was almost like Christmas.” 

Even as students grow up, their obsession with Legos does not go away. In fact, for some it turns into a full-blown obsession.

“I have probably close to 25,000 bricks,” senior Ethan Harlow said. “So it’s a minor obsession.” 

Students of all ages enjoy the creativity and versatility of Legos. As new sets are released, students are quick to assemble the newest, most exciting build. Some students prefer smaller, more intricate designs, while others go for the biggest set they can find. 

“I have the largest [currently] purchasable Lego set," freshman Owen Fannin said. “I built it, and it has 10 thousand pieces,” 

Fannin owns the Lego Eiffel Tower which contains the second most pieces of any Lego set ever made. It is second only to the Lego Art World Map with 11.5 thousand pieces, but that set is no longer available for purchase.

For others, their interest in Legos started much later in life. 

“Me and my wife got my son some Legos, not knowing if he would like them,” TKA assistant Mr. Fox said. “Little did we know, he became quite the fan. I’ve had a passion for Legos ever since.” 

Fox did not grow up playing with Legos but became increasingly interested as his son grew older. He still buys Legos with his son and for his five grandchildren.

“Legos have remained the same throughout the years,” Mr. Fox said. “They made a couple little enhancements, but I do get a little bit of nostalgia when I see the cars. It definitely gets to my heart when I see those.”

Fox is not the only dad whose Lego endeavors were inspired by his children. Former TKA parent Caleb Watkins started enjoying Legos as an adult after his son became interested in the toy.

“My son got some Lego sets for his birthday when he was too young to build them by himself,” Watkins said. “I helped him, and that’s what really inspired me to get into Legos.” 

Legos are timeless toys that grow with their builders. From six-year-olds to 70-year-old grandpas, Legos can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

“My earliest memory with Legos is an old Lego Movie set that my grandfather gave me,” sophomore Brice Coker said. “I get really nostalgic…”