Student Sadra Rajaee named as a Top 5 Finalist in 2021 Doodle for Google Competition
Google announced a talented student from Arizona, Sadra Rajaee, could soon have his art on the Google homepage for millions to see. Sadra is one of Google’s top 5 National Finalists in its 13th annual Doodle for Google competition, selected out of 54 state and territory winners. Sadra is the winner in the K-3 grade category, and a finalist for the grand prize. The contest, which was open to K-12 students across the United States, asked students to design a Google Doodle inspired by the theme “I am strong because…”
As National Finalists, the five student winners will each win a $5,000 college scholarship, Google hardware, and fun Googley swag. Check out their artwork, along with all 54 of the state winners on the website gallery. In the next and final stage of the contest, the judging panel will determine which five national finalists will be chosen as the national contest winner. The winner’s artwork will be featured on Google’s homepage for 24 hours, they’ll receive a $30,000 scholarship and a $50,000 technology package for their school.
Sadra Rajaee’s Doodle for Google entry
Top 5 Finalists
K-3rd grade National Finalist: Sadra Rajaee, Arizona
Title: Imagination brightens the future
Artist statement: “I am strong because I have an imagination. With my imagination I make my parents laugh and help them through hard times.”
4th-5th grade National Finalist: Elise Then, Oregon
Title: Nature’s Strong-Fold
Artist statement: “In this Doodle, I choose to represent strength found in nature using origami. For example, hummingbirds, the smallest bird in the world, can beat their wings 40 times in the blink of an eye! Nature is a gift where I derive my strength. I must appreciate and care for it.”
6th-7th grade National Finalist: Marketa Douglas, Rhode Island
Title: Connections and kindness
Artist statement: “My Doodle shows my grandma and I, connected by one of the only ways of communicating at this time. It’s meant to represent doing your best to be kind and stay strong for others, with the different symbols showing other places I see this strength every day.”
8th-9th grade National Finalist: Kiara Susana Ponce Virella, Puerto Rico
Title: Splash of hope
Artist statement: “I am strong because I got through scoliosis surgery. That’s the scar decorating my back. All the canvases that I painted show I grew stronger. Now I’m coming to terms with who I am, and look past my flaws. I may not seem strong, but I am. In my own special way, just like everyone else.”
10th-12th grade National Finalist: Milo Golding, Kentucky
Title: Finding hope
Artist statement: “I am strong because I have hope. I once asked my father how he overcame obstacles and became who he wanted to be. He replied, ‘Hope, hope keeps me strong.’ After I unexpectedly lost him at 13 due to a heart attack, it helped me overcome grief and support other children who lost loved ones.”
