COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — As the holiday season approaches, fun, colorful LEGO sets will be at the top of many wish lists, and the toys can help unleash a child's imagination and could allow them to take part in new challenges. For one 8-year-old from Marysville, playing with LEGOs has become a true claim to fame and given him a special opportunity and a lifetime of memories. Dane Flynn is the reigning Mini-Master Model Builder at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus. Crowned in early June, Flynn will hold this title through May. His journey began with LEGOLAND’s annual Mini-Master Model Builder contest, now in its second year, designed to celebrate young, creative minds. How to watch movie from Columbus director that was filmed in Grove City Earlier this year, LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus requested entries, inviting children aged 6-12 to submit a photo and description of their original LEGO creations. Flynn's submission stood out, earning him a spot as one of four contestants chosen for the in-person final competition. The next phase was a live-building event, held at the LEGOLAND Discovery Center. For two hours, the young competitors faced three building challenges. “The first round the kids were asked to build a combination build — they needed to create a build with two animals combined, or an animal combined with an object — like a lion duck, mouse butterfly, dolphin pencil, etc.,” said Cheryl Ryan, marketing manager for LEGOLAND.  Mini-Master Model Builder Dane Flynn (Photo Courtesy LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus)Mini-Master Model Builder Dane Flynn (Photo Courtesy LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus)Mini-Master Model Builder Dane Flynn (Photo Courtesy LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus)Mini-Master Model Builder Dane Flynn (Photo Courtesy LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus)Mini-Master Model Builder Dane Flynn (Photo Courtesy LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus)Mini-Master Model Builder Dane Flynn (Photo Courtesy LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus)Mini-Master Model Builder Dane Flynn (Photo Courtesy LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus)Mini-Master Model Builder Dane Flynn (Photo Courtesy LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus)Mini-Master Model Builder Dane Flynn (Photo Courtesy LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus)Mini-Master Model Builder Dane Flynn (Photo Courtesy LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus) Flynn built an “eagle airplane,” blending the majestic bird and an aircraft as his first creation. Next, the children were tasked with designing their dream houses. “For the last round, they were prompted to build something that represented them and told us a little bit more about them,” Ryan said. “Dane’s creativity really shined on this one when he built a treehouse with taco and football field features. We learned that he loved the outdoors, but was absolutely passionate about football and tacos.” For a fair evaluation across the 6-12 age range, judges considered age-appropriate expectations. Flynn's unique designs, enthusiasm and storytelling secured his victory, and he was named Mini-Master Model Builder for 2024 with a celebratory “brick dump,” where LEGOs pour over the winner. The event featured the 2023 Mini-Master Model Builder, who shared insights with the judges and symbolically passed the torch to Flynn. Enjoy a hassle-free Thanksgiving meal with these bundled and prepared options As a Mini-Master Model Builder, Flynn has enjoyed special opportunities. He toured the MINILAND attraction, a miniature LEGO replica of landmarks from Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati, with the Master Model Builder team, collaborated with them in their workshop, and shared ideas. One of his standout projects included an Ohio-themed build that was shared with other Mini-Master Model Builders across the country. Most recently, Flynn tackled designing a “school of the future.” “His school consisted of a flying building where flying Ferrari buses would pick up students and drop them off for class,” said Ryan. “Lunches were all candy and because the school floated in air, it could easily travel between states for exciting field trips!” The next Mini-Master Model Builder will be crowned toward the end of May or early June, according to Ryan.