BLUE RIBBON

Paulina Waak (at left), 10-year-old daughter of Paul and Paula Waak, received some exciting news during Ericka Trotty’s fifth-grade class at Rockdale Intermediate School on Aug. 23. Trotty announced to the class that Paulina’s “Scale Models - Kit - Any Other Subject” entry won first place in the 13-18 year-old Junior Division at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas. Paulina had spent 18 days and over 100 hours during the months of July and August meticulously cutting, assembling, gluing, sewing and decorating a 1:24 scale DIY Countryside Estate miniature house kit recommended for ages 14-plus years. Her kit can be seen on display during the fair for millions to see in the Creative Arts Building cases from Sept. 29 through Oct. 22. Last year, more than 2.5 million people visited the State Fair of Texas. Her kit will help inspire other youths to try a new hobby. This is the seventh miniature kit Paulina has created since January of this year. She has a huge love for miniatures. When asked what she wants to be when she grows up she said, “I want to be a person who cooks miniature food in a miniature kitchen and make miniature houses, with miniature people and pets. I hope to one day start my own mini business.”