This 9-year-old is representing Wisconsin in the Doodle for Google logo competition. Here's how to help him become a finalist.
A 9-year-old Wisconsin boy could have his artwork displayed on Google's homepage, receive a big scholarship and get a tech package for his school — if he wins this year's Doodle for Google competition.
You could help him become a finalist.
Here's how the annual contest works. Kindergarten through 12th-grade students create and submit their own versions of Google's logo inspired by that particular year's theme, according to a news release. There are five grade categories: kindergarten through third grade, fourth and fifth grades, sixth and seventh grades, eighth and ninth grades, and 10th and 12th grades.
The theme for 2023, the 15th annual competition, is "I am grateful for ...".
Gabriel Fox, a third-grader at Trevor-Wilmot Consolidated Grade School in Kenosha County, was selected to represent Wisconsin as one of 55 state and territory winners. His artwork, titled "You Are Always Happy When You Eat Tacos," was chosen out of thousands of submissions.
"I made my doodle because I'm thankful for my dad, and he likes tacos," Fox told the Journal Sentinel.
With colored pencils, he made the "G" and parts of other letters that make up the word "Google" into tacos. Three tacos also float above the word, including a larger one with a smiley face that hovers over the two "O"s.
"They're my dad's favorite food and I'm grateful for him," Fox said.
"It's amazing," said Pamela Sorensen, talented and gifted coordinator for the Trevor-Wilmot Consolidated Grade School District. "He's only in third grade. And it's very creative and colorful, and adheres to the theme just beautifully. He did awesome."
Trevor-Wilmot is a "small, rural" school with an enrollment of about 450, according to Sorensen.
Sorensen encouraged Fox and other students who are also "strong in the arts and creativity areas" to enter this year's Doodle for Google competition. It was the first time her students applied, she said.
"The more opportunities students have, the more opportunities they have to refine their artistic talents, and hopefully, they get inspired to pursue more artistic and creative opportunities," Sorensen said. "I know it's something that (Gabriel) enjoys. And so, I like to highlight a student's passion as well. And I know that he was passionate in the arts, and whenever I can get students engaged and excited about learning, I think that's important."
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How Fox found out he was the Wisconsin winner, what he was awarded
Earlier this week, Fox said his teacher told him and his fellow third-graders to go to one of the school's gymnasiums, where the principal would be.
"Our teacher said it could be a good or bad situation," Fox said. "But I'm pretty sure that she already knew it was a good situation."
What they were walking into was actually a surprise assembly, set up by Google, to announce and celebrate Fox's achievement. Fox's parents, younger brother and grandparents, as well as a Google representative and professional photographer, were also in attendance.
After the school's two third-grade classes arrived, Sorensen made the announcement and Fox's artwork was unveiled.
"I just thought it was unbelievable," Fox said.
"I was in disbelief and just so proud of him, and excited," Sorensen said. "I don't even know how to put it in words. Just very delighted for him and his family. He deserves it, he worked hard. And, just so proud."
Google awarded Fox a new Chromebook, a shirt with his artwork on it, a pencil case and a journal, he said. Fox and his classmates were also granted an extra recess that day.
"His classmates were super-excited for him," said Pangkong, Gabriel's mother. "They were patting (him) on the back, they were screaming, they were so excited."
After school, the Fox family continued the celebration, with a Taco Bell dinner and a cake that looked like a taco.
"We were really excited, and just really proud," Pangkong said. "And, we're hoping that this kind of encourages him to do some new things."
Sorensen hopes that Fox's success in the contest inspires more of the school's students to enter next year.
How to vote
The public determines the five national finalists (one from each grade group) by voting for their favorite at doodles.google.com/d4g/. Voting runs until 1:59 a.m. Central on May 25.
In late May, Google will announce five national finalists, one of whom will be named the national winner, a news release said.
Fox said his friends and classmates told him they're going to vote for him and "try to convince" their siblings to as well.
What the national winner will be awarded
The national winner's doodle will be featured on the Google homepage for a day. The winner will also be awarded a $30,000 college scholarship, the news release said.
The winner's school will receive a $50,000 tech package for the "establishment or improvement of a computer lab or technology program."
"It's really cool Gabriel could win something for himself, but I think even more importantly, he could win something to help the school," Pangkong said.
"I would rather have that," Gabriel said. "To help the school."
Sorensen said she is "so grateful" that Google offers this competition to students, and wishes additional corporations would provide students with "more opportunities in the creative and artistic realms."
"I really am so thankful to Google for sponsoring this kind of activity and the wonderful prizes that go along with it," Sorensen said. "It's a very generous effort on behalf of them."
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Doodle for Google competition 2023: Gabriel Fox representing Wisconsin
