Shakopee student named state winner of ‘Doodle 4 Google’ annual contest

Shakopee middle school student Gabrielle To is the Minnesota winner of Google’s 14th annual “Doodle for Google” contest, according to a press release. The art prompt for this year was “I care for myself by…” Three people judged the contest submissions, which was open to students in kindergarten through 12th grade, including singer Selena Gomez.

To named her doodle “A Moment Immortalized in Gold” and explained the meaning of it: “Books, art and writing effectively silenced the almost perpetual noise of my thoughts and fed the starving beasts running rampant in my mind. Yellow roses are my favorite because they mean friendship and because they remind me of my friend. If I know she’s okay, I feel a sense of clarity. Tea has always helped me focus. There are two cups—one for me, and one for my friend.”

The contest has 54 winners, one from each state and U.S. territory. The winners will now be voted on by people to select five finalists and eventually a national winner.

Voting on the Doodles is open until July 12th. To’s doodle is listed in the Grade 8-9 category.

Google sent the 54 winners Google hardware and swag and held a celebration in their hometowns for their artwork.