Liona Lawrence Paunga (8) a Tongan American, won a $5000 prize in the annual Lego Creativity Awards essay competition recently.

Liona's winning short essay was about how she made a scrapbook about her younger sister 'Aulola Kolotita Paunga who passed away on April 6 this year.

"The coroner told my parents that Lola died because her small intestine was twisted, and they don't know what caused it," says Liona in her essay on her younger sister's death. "I was so sad that I decided to be creative at home and put together a scrapbook in her memory."

Liona used colored paper, pictures, photos, flower petals and lines of verse to express her feelings for her sister.

When her mother encouraged Liona to write about her sister for the contest, little did they expect Liona would win.

"I feel happy and I am really proud of myself for winning this award," says Liona.

Liona, a St. Robert Catholic School third-grader, is one of 10 children to win the prize across the country, and the only one from California.



The contest sponsors, Lego Systems, Inc., invited children between the ages of 6 and 13 years to send in essays describing how they were creative at home, school and community.

The 10 winners were chosen from among 20 finalists by a diverse panel of judges, which included Duff Goldman, Food Network's Ace of Cakes personality, and Chris Anderson, editor-in-chief of Wired magazine.

"These children's stories represent the innate curiosity, entrepreneurial spirit, and determination that is emblematic of creative thinkers," said Soren Torp Laursen, president of Legp Systems, Inc.

Liona is the daughter of Nisifolo 'Oto'ota Paunga of Niuatoputapu, and Lu'isa Lavulo Paunga of Nuku'alofa. She is the eldest of six children.