Pittsburg State students packed into the Overman Student Center U-Club on Monday evening for Lego Night, a building competition hosted by the Gorillas Activity Board. What started as a modest event quickly drew a crowd that spilled out from the basement level, as students lined up to show their creativity and have a shot at winning prizes. By the time the final winners were announced, tables across the U-Club displayed a sea of colorful creations. The Lego structures reflected both teamwork and individual imagination.
Although the event had not received many RSVPs ahead of time, enthusiasm was not missing once the doors opened. The unexpected turnout proved the event’s intrigue, drawing students from all majors and years to participate or simply watch the contest. Tyne Ellis, a freshman majoring in social work, was surprised by how many people showed up.
“It’s so busy here,” Ellis said. “The line is out of the basement.”
The contest challenged participants to take a simple cup of Lego bricks and transform them into something original within a set amount of time. The night included one team round and one individual round, with the top three designs winning Lego-themed prizes. Teams also competed for Einstein Bros. Bagels gift cards, adding an extra layer of motivation for builders who worked side by side while having fun.
The competition began with a 25-minute team round that encouraged everyone to collaborate and be creative. Afterward, students shifted into the longer 45-minute individual round, which gave them more time to plan and construct their more detailed builds. With no rules over themes, the creations could range from detailed to much simpler designs. For some, it was an opportunity to take the competition seriously, carefully considering their structures and designs. For others, it was simply a lighthearted way to relax, laugh with friends, and share ideas in a fun way.
Emilio Cereceres, a sophomore nursing major and public health minor, helped lead planning for the event through GAB. He said the idea behind Lego Night was to offer something fresh on campus, an event that encouraged imagination while also giving students a break from the pressures of classes and college overall.
“Something different, to find a way to use their imagination for fun,” Cereceres said. “It’s a small event, but also an innovative one.”
Cereceres noted that Lego Night was far simpler to organize compared to larger-scale campus traditions, with setup taking only 15 minutes. Still, the easy atmosphere seemed to work in its favor. By the time the rounds had begun, the U-Club was packed with students crowding around tables to sift through their Lego cups, piecing together towers, animals, bridges, and other creative designs.
The winners were selected through a QR code voting system that allowed both participants and spectators to weigh in on their favorite builds. This interactive piece gave the participants the ability to cheer for friends, reward the most skilled design, and become a bigger part of the competition.
At the end of the evening, the prizes were awarded. The winning team received Einstein gift cards, while individual winners had their choice of Lego sets. First place took home a Super Mario Piranha Plant, second place chose between a Bonsai Tree or a Paris, France set, and third place received the remaining option.
For Cereceres, the success of the night was not just measured in numbers, but in how engaged students were with the activity, whether it be in winning or having fun.
“It was fun planning this event,” he said. “We wanted people to compete, but also just to build whatever they wanted.”