LEGOLAND® California Chooses Four Model Builder Search Finalists From San Diego

'West Wing' Actress, Danica McKellar, Nabs LEGO® Trophy at Celebrity Build-off

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 24, 2006 -- Four finalists were chosen on Monday, February 20, 2006 at LEGOLAND® California in the nationwide search for the next LEGOLAND Model Builder. John Cooper from San Diego, CA, Mandy Jouan from Chula Vista, CA, Ryan Rolla from San Diego, CA, and Corey Sanders from Las Vegas, NV have advanced to the final build-off at the San Diego theme park May 23, 2006. They are vying for only one open position on the LEGOLAND Model Builder team. The next job search stop is The Art Institute of California - Los Angeles on Tuesday, Feb. 28.

Applicants were given a bucket to fill with 10-pounds of assorted LEGO® play materials of their choice and had just one hour to create a pirate-themed model in honor of the Park's newest attraction, Pirate Shores, opening this summer. Cooper, Jouan, Rolla and Sanders were chosen based on their ability to design and create lifelike models in 3-D using only standard LEGO elements. The current team of Model Builders at LEGOLAND California design, build and maintain the more than 15,000 LEGO models that make LEGOLAND California a one-of-a-kind vacation destination.

The event was the first of seven stops throughout the United States. The tour continues to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix, New York, Dallas and Chicago. Applicants interested in the job of a lifetime or following the progress of the Model Builder Search, log onto www.LEGOLANDModelBuilder.com.

Earlier on Monday, celebrities teamed up with the current team of LEGOLAND California Model Builders to battle in a model building competition. Danica McKellar, San Diego Chargers Wide Receiver Kassim Osgood and Chargers Punter Mike Scifres each had one hour and assistance from one LEGOLAND Model Builder to make a LEGO creation that outshined the rest. McKellar, known for her portrayal of Winnie Cooper on "The Wonder Years" and who now portrays Elsie Snuffin on the Emmy-Award winning series, "The West Wing," took home the LEGO trophy with her whimsical pirate creation.

LEGOLAND® California is a 128-acre interactive theme park dedicated to families with children between the ages of two and 12. Just like with LEGO® play materials, kids are the ones who create the action at the Park. They drive, pedal, squirt, climb, jump, stomp, slide, steer, pull, click, push, gallop, laugh, build and program their way through more than 50 rides, shows and attractions. There are three other LEGOLAND Parks in the world -- LEGOLAND Billund in Denmark, LEGOLAND Windsor outside of London and LEGOLAND Deutschland near Gunzburg, Germany. The LEGOLAND theme parks are a part of Merlin Entertainments Group. For the most current information, log on to www.LEGOLAND.com or call (760) 918-LEGO.

The Art Institutes system of 32 education institutions located throughout North America, provides an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals. The parent company of The Art Institutes, Education Management Corporation (www.edmc.com) is among the largest providers of private post-secondary education in North America, based on student enrollment and revenue. Student enrollment exceeded 72,000 as of fall 2005. EDMC has 72 primary campus locations in 24 states and two Canadian provinces. EDMC's education institutions offer a broad range of academic programs concentrated in the media arts, design, fashion, culinary arts, behavioral sciences, health sciences, education, information technology and business fields, culminating in the award of associates through doctoral degrees. EDMC has provided career-oriented education for more than 40 years. For more information visit The Art Institutes website at www.artinstitutes.edu/legoland.