Eileen Powell’s entry for the Doodle 4 Google Contest.
Alexandria City Public Schools fifth-grader Eileen Powell was selected as a state winner in the annual Doodle 4 Google Contest. Google representatives announced the news Wednesday, May 2 at George Mason Elementary School and unveiled Eileen's “doodle” to her peers.
More than 114,000 students nationwide entered the contest, which is open to students in grades K-12, with doodles based on this year's theme: “If I could travel in time, I'd visit…” Eileen's entry, “The 70s,” displayed her desire to visit the 1970s complete with a peace sign and disco ball.
Eileen is the only Virginia student whose artwork will be displayed for public voting on the Google website. Voting runs May 2-10. Each of the 250 state finalist doodles is featured in an online gallery on the Doodle 4 Google website; however, the public can only vote for the 50 state winners.
The 50 state winners will win a trip to New York for the final awards ceremony on May 17 and a t-shirt printed with their individual doodle on it. They will also have their doodle displayed in an exhibit at the New York Public Library. Five National Finalists (one per grade group) will be selected at the awards ceremony, and the National Winner's doodle will be featured on the Google homepage on May 18 for 24 hours. The National Winner will receive a $30,000 college scholarship to be used at the school of his or her choice, a Google Chromebook computer and a Wacom digital design tablet. Google will also award the National Winner's school a $50,000 technology grant toward the establishment or improvement of a computer lab or technology programming.
"When I entered I immediately decided to draw it on the 70s,” Eileen said about her entry. “I felt like it would be very interesting to be able to go back into the 70s, because there was a lot of protesting for peace and a green culture, which I feel is something the world tends to lack today. To win is such an honor, and I hope that I could possibly move on. It has been amazing so far."
“We are extremely proud of Eileen,” said Kevin West, principal of George Mason Elementary School. “Eileen was also selected as the ACPS 2010-2011 Poet Laureate through a local poetry competition. Her creativity and passion for the arts only enhances her overall education, and it is a joy having her at George Mason.”