Ever since she was 12 years old, Kiara Florez has been using art to express her vivid imagination.
Doing this has led her to be a competing finalist in Google’s “Doodle 4 Google” contest. Florez, a senior at Caesar Rodney High School, is one of 53 finalist artists hoping to get their artwork displayed on Google‘s homepage on March 31.
“I have a huge imagination and always like to put ideas down. I like to illustrate and tell stories and art helps me do that,” Florez said.
Google users and viewers were given the opportunity to vote between the works of art, and are now waiting for the final tally.
The winner receives a $30,000 scholarship and the school the winner attends currently receives a $50,000 Google for Education grant toward the establishment and improvement of a computer lab or technology program.
The contest is open to students in grades K through 12. It challenges students to create a Google image that aligns with a specific theme.
This year’s theme is “What I see for the future.”
Florez created an art piece depicting titled “World Education,” depicting children from all walks of life siting in front of a classroom chalkboard with google’s logo displayed, using a globe as one of the letter o’s.
“I really wanted to show that every kid can have an education,” she said. “That’s why I had them all raising their hands reaching for an education.”
Entering twice before, Florez is proud of the accomplishment, and hopes to see her work displayed for the world to see.
“I felt like this theme was speaking to me this time,” she said.
Rob Sample, Florez’s art teacher, said that she kept most of the process to herself when she was designing the piece.
“She’s entered on her own every year, but I mentioned it to all my students as a great opportunity,” said Sample. “She kept it to herself for the most part, but when Google called to tell us she was the state finalist we were super proud.”
Sample also exclaimed that she is a hard-working, and highly skilled artist, and is very hopeful to see her submission be chosen as the national winner.
Caesar Rodney Superintendent Kevin Fitzgerald also said he was impressed with Florez’s artwork and message.
“It describes a beautiful image of kids around the world being able to get an education which is really the key to everyone getting along,” he said. “The more opportunities people have to learn about one another the better the world is going to be.”
The National Winner and Finalists will be announced on the Doodle4Google Website on March 31. Click there now to see all of the 53 state and territory finalists.
