URBANA, Ill. — From mad scientists to haunted trees, Illinois 4-H youth let their imaginations run wild in October’s statewide 4-H Creating with Building Bricks Challenge, themed “Monster Mash: Build a spooky creature or monster.” More than 80 youth from across Illinois entered their brick-built beasts, showcasing creativity, storytelling, and design skills.
In the 8–10-year-old division, Skylar Naff, 10, of Fulton County’s Pleasant Spacemakers 4-H Club, earned top honors with his creation “Orville’s Payback.” His story follows Orville, a longtime movie theater custodian who, after years of cleaning up after messy moviegoers, snaps and becomes a mad scientist. His first invention? A popcorn monster designed to strike fear in those who leave their trash behind.
The 11–13-year-old division winner was Aaliyah Naff, 11, also of the Pleasant Spacemakers 4-H Club in Fulton County. Her entry, “Woody’s Woodland Revenge,” tells the tale of a lumberjack who cuts his way through the forest until he reaches a giant oak - the protector of the woods. As he raises his axe, the tree springs to life, lifting him from the ground and teaching him a lesson about respect for nature.
In the 14–18-year-old division, Daniel McComb, 16, of the Creative Critters 4-H Club in St. Clair County, impressed judges with “Creeping Canopy.” On Halloween night, Daniel’s story explains, a tree that grew through an abandoned home rips free from the earth. With creaking limbs and glowing windows, it now wanders the forest searching for its next house to consume.
“We were blown away by the creativity and storytelling of all the entries, especially in the younger age divisions,” said Amy Henschen, 4-H senior program lead, evaluation and staff development. “These kids are so imaginative. We can’t wait to see what they submit in the coming months.”
The monthly contest supports Illinois 4-H’s new Creating with Building Bricks project, which gives youth the opportunity to build, design, and engineer using popular construction toys like LEGO and MEGABLOKS. More than 250 youth across the state are already enrolled.
“We are so excited about the number and quality of entries we received,” Henschen said. “We hope this contest helps raise awareness about the project and helps that number grow even more.”
The challenge continues through the end of the year with new monthly themes: “Hometown Pride” in November, “Habitats” in December, and a special “Winter Wonderland” family challenge over winter break. Winners receive a building brick medal they construct themselves and a small keepsake.
For more information about the Creating with Building Bricks project or how to participate in upcoming contests, visit go.illinois.edu/4HBuildSeries
Source: Amy Henschen, 4-H Senior Program Lead, Evaluation and Staff Development, amylh@illinois.edu
About Illinois 4-H:
Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension, administered through the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. Through hands-on learning and life-changing experiences, Illinois 4-H prepares youth to be Beyond Ready — ready for college, career, military service, entrepreneurship, and more. Young people build confidence, leadership, and resilience as they explore interests from agriculture to computer science. Independent research and national surveys confirm the powerful outcomes of 4-H: participants are 40% more likely to pursue a college degree, twice as likely to obtain technical training, and two times more likely to serve in the military. With a legacy of cultivating leaders, Illinois 4-H continues to grow the next generation who are equipped to thrive in life and work today and beyond.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.