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| Six-year-old Austyn Rushton |
“I love Legos this much!” Six-year-old Austyn Rushton extends his arms as far as he can.
When Austyn’s mom, Carrie Rushton, told her first-grader that he’d won his entire family a $1,500 trip to anywhere he wanted to go, Austyn’s first reply was classic.
“At first I kinda wanted to go to Disneyland,” he says.
But knowing how their son loves Legos – by Austyn’s own rough estimates, he probably has two thousand of them – Carrie and Austyn’s dad, Robbie, suggested Legoland. The boy agreed with enthusiasm.
So in the fall, the Rushton family, which also includes 10-month-old baby sister Skylar, will visit Legoland in Carlsbad, California.
At this year’s Clark County Fair, children up to age 12 were invited to participate in Passport to Fun, a hands-on learning program sponsored by Columbia Credit Union and The Columbian newspaper. Kids picked up a “passport” and visited fair exhibits to participate in fun, educational activities. After they completed each activity, kids won a stamp in their passports. When they had collected 10 stamps and turned in the passport, they were entered to win a $1,500 travel package from Columbia Credit Union.
Austyn, who soon starts first grade at York Elementary in Vancouver, learned about a variety of topics at the fair. At Germ City, his hands were coated with a special pigment that glows under a black light. He learned how to wash his hands well enough to remove all of the “germs.” He also visited a knitting booth, saw farm animals and much more.
Two weeks later when Carrie listened to a message left on her answering machine, she didn’t quite believe what they were saying.
“I thought, there’s no way we actually won!” she says. A call back confirmed that Austyn had won the travel prize.
“I was so excited,” she says. “We’ve never been anywhere together.”
Austyn’s dad, Robbie, remembers his son jumping up and down, proud of the fact that he had won his family their first trip together.
“He was really excited because it was his vacation,” Robbie says.
Carrie and Robbie say the family will likely visit Disneyland someday, but for now they’ll enjoy the family activities, miniature Lego cities and rides at Legoland.
Austyn’s ears perk up at the word “rides,” and he asks if there’s a roller coaster at Legoland. Robbie answers yes.
The boy’s jaw drops. “That’s awesome! Really?”
His parents laugh, anticipating many more surprises ahead for their son.
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