Newton Student's Art Chosen As MA Finalist For Google Doodle

NEWTON, MA — Google selected a Newton South student's art as a finalist to have on the Google homepage for millions to see.

After receiving thousands of entries for the contest this year, Google judges choose Julie Wang's artwork as the top submission from Massachusetts. She is one of 54 finalists across the country.

"I drew an image that is half and half, with an ocean featuring sea animals on the right, and a landscape on the left," Julie wrote in her submission. "I show kindness by caring for the earth and its creatures- whether by picking up trash I see on the ground or being mindful of the everyday things I do. Me and my community are trying our hardest. I believe that kindness shouldn't be limited to only people. The earth is our shared world, and it is our responsibility to care for it."

In the next stage of the contest, Google invites the public to vote for their favorite Doodle from the 54 state and territory winners. The public will help narrow the field to five national finalists. Voting closes on Aug. 21 on the Doodle at doodle4google.com.

"What you notice first about Julie’s design is her concern for the natural world demonstrated through her artistic expression," Megan Leary-Crist, who chairs the fine and performing arts department at the school and helped nominate Julie.

The contest is the twelfth annual Doodle for Google competition, a contest open to K-12 students across the country to design a Google Doodle inspired by the theme “I show kindness by...”

Julie, a rising 10th grader, won the title from the 8-9 Grade Group in Massachusetts.

Google will announce the five National Finalists near the end of August, and one will go on to become the National Winner and have their Doodle featured on the Google homepage for a day.

The five national finalists will each win a $5,000 college scholarship and some Google hardware.

The winner will take home a $30,000 college scholarship and their school will receive a $50,000 tech package toward the establishment or improvement of a computer lab or technology program.

"I am incredibly proud of Julie, and her teacher Abygale Choi," said Leary-Crist. "There are so many similarities between the arts and science; especially the design/scientific process. Every time a young person uses imagery to give voice to their passions and ideas I know that we have done our job as well as teachers."

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