Doodle For Google Finalists: Pennsylvania Girl Among 2022's Top 5

MALVERN, PA — A middle school student from Pennsylvania is one of five finalists in 2022's Doodle for Google contest, the company announced Thursday.

Faridah Ismaila was the national winner in grades 6-7. Her doodle, titled "My self love," was among tens of thousands submitted by students in 54 U.S. states and territories.

Each doodle illustrated the artist's answer to this year's prompt: "I care for myself by…" The purpose was for students to "share how they nurture themselves in tough times," according to Google.

Faridah, a soon-to-be seventh grader at Great Valley Middle School, also submitted a written response to the prompt.

RELATED: Great Valley Middle School Student Wins Doodle for Google Contest

"I care for myself by making food! I love to make delicious African dishes with my mom," she wrote. "That's why my Doodle shows me smelling all of the delicious African dishes I LOVE!"

This year's other finalists hail from Maryland, Delaware, Missouri and Florida.

If Faridah wins, her art will be featured on Google's homepage for a day. She will also receive a $30,000 scholarship and a $50,000 technology package for her school.

The top five finalists were assessed on artistic merit, creativity and how well they addressed the prompt in their artwork and written statements.

This year's judges are pop star Selena Gomez, director and mental health advocate Elyse Fox, and Juliana Urtubey, the 2021 National Teacher of the Year.

"Each one of (the finalists) brought intentionality, artistry and heart to their Doodles," according to a statement by Google.

See all finalists and their artwork in the 2022 Doodle for Google contest.