2009 K'NEXperts Search Winners

K'NEX AWARDS THREE GRAND PRIZE WINNERS $10,000 SAVINGS BONDS IN THIS YEARS KNEXPERT SEARCH BUILDING CONTEST OPEN TO KIDS AGES 5-12

Seven Finalists Were Each Awarded $1,000 Savings Bonds in Ceremony on
December 4 in New York City

NEW YORK, NY December 4, 2008 KNEX Brands, one of the worlds leading construction toy manufacturers, has chosen the winners of its 2009 KNEXpert Search. The nationwide search asks kids ages 5-12 to submit original designs made entirely out of KNEX pieces.

This year, three Grand Prize winners and seven finalists were chosen from three age categories. As Grand Prize winners, Solomon Leo from Lansdale, PA (5-6 year-old age group); William Kress from Cullman, AL (7-8 year-old age group) and Tim Gibson from Perkasie, PA (9-12 year-old age group) werel each awarded a $10,000 U.S. Savings Bond to be used for their education. The seven finalists, each awarded $1,000 Savings Bonds, were: Zachary Inman, age 6, from Hillsboro, OR; Juan Zuniga, age 6, from San Diego, CA; Lanie Kuykendall, age 7, and her brother, Kyler Kuykendall, age 10, from Amarillo, TX; Luke Martin, age 8, from Ossining, NY; Hannah Waxman, age 12, from Holmdel, NJ; and Matthew Epstein, age 12, from Plano, TX.

All of the winners convened at an awards ceremony in New York City on December 4 at ToysRUs Times Square, The Worlds Greatest Toy Store™, hosted by KNEX president Michael Araten.

The KNEXpert contest attracts the best and brightest KNEX fans, said Araten. Im constantly amazed at the creativity that goes into these awe-inspiring creations that seem to get more and more complex each year, he said.

12-year-old Grand Prize winner, Tim Gibson, should know. He was a finalist in last years contest and entered and won this year with the incredible KNEX-atron, the Destroyer! KNEX-atron, the Destroyer is a nearly eight-foot-tall wearable robot costume with movable eyes, ears and mouth. When I wear the KNEX-atron build, I feel like a character in the Matrix movies, said Tim. Thats where I got my inspiration, he said.

The two other Grand Prize-winning builds are equally impressive. Five-year-old Solomon Leo created a model of the Solar System that has all of the planets rotating around the Sun as well as a viewing platform with a telescope. William Kress, age 8, created the Thrilling Mantis, a 3000-piece roller coaster that arches over a model of a praying mantis.

KNEX is the worlds most innovative construction toy company. As the winner of more than 200 international awards, KNEX encourages youngsters to imagine, build and play. The KNEXpert Search is an annual contest that asks kids to design an ultra-creative, original model made entirely out of KNEX parts. The Designed by Kids Building Set, a KNEXpert inspired construction kit, is available this fall exclusively at Toys R Us and features models designed by previous KNEXpert Search winners.


About KNEX Brands
Founded in 1992, KNEX Brands was established to make and sell what has become one of the worlds leading integrated construction systems for children. Winner of over 200 international awards and recognitions, KNEX seeks to build young minds with its exciting product line and critically acclaimed KNEX Education program. For more information, please visit www.knex.com.

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[clkid10]

@rollercoasterdude96 first of all,knex wants a roller coaster that's not too big to present at the room

2,they're KIDS,you guys are TEENAGERS,kids don't make the BEST roller coasters out of knex,knex wants a model that is creative

[clkid10]

@rollercoasterdude96 cp ephy's coasters are BEAST compared to these creations, but if he were to enter the knexperts contest,he wouldn't be a knexpert because 1his roller coasters are TOO big to fit in that room

and 2,he already sold all of his knex on ebay.com

[clkid10]

you've got to see the 2011 knexperts at knex.com

[tomijojo]

@rollercoasterdude96

yea!

[Waddaleman]

This reminds me of this year's search. I still can't get over the faact that I wasn't a finalist.

[rollercoasterdude96]

If you think that's cool, check mine out, or maybe check knexpert6's coasters and CP-ephy's coasters.

[Waddaleman]

really? i love algebra!

[rollercoasterdude96]

Where have YOU been?

[Twerpsguy]

I think it's a realy cool coaster.

[tomijojo]

CRAPPY COASTER!