Zack Lyons, of Port Acres, loves to go hunting with his dad on Saturday mornings, hunting for treasures. In September of 2011, his watchful eye noticed an antique spoon for sale at Winnie Trade Days.
"Whenever I was looking, I saw a spoon. I always get ahead of my dad so I can find better stuff. Then, I looked at it and saw it was dark grey and silver, so got my dad," says Zack.
Zack and his father purchased the spoon for $14. They then started their research. The spoon was made by Chief John Robson of the Gaitlines and could have been carved back in the late 1800's.
Zack says "Nobody knew what the spoon was. I just kinda figured out what it was and that's why I wrote about it." Zack wrote a 500 word essay about this special spoon to the "American Pickers, Kid Pickers" competition, taking home the grand prize out of nearly 1500 entries.
"I really didn't believe it at first until my mom went on my dad's email and I saw it," said Zack.
"American Pickers" on the History Channel is Zack's favorite tv show. On top of a $10,000 scholarship, Zack won a trip to Washington, D.C. to meet "American Pickers" star, Mike Wolfe and Congressman Ted Poe. Congressman Poe attended the award ceremony and gave Zack a present he will never forget, an American flag that flew over the Nation's Capitol in Zack's honor.
Zack's advice to other kids hoping to cash in is "There's still plenty out there. You could find it, too."
Zack and his cousin, Amy Manders, will now write the British Museum to let them know he has a piece of their history. Zack says he does not know if he wants to donate the spoon just yet. He says he will hang onto it for now.
