Google Honors High-Schooler’s Art On Spending Time With Loved Ones As Its Logo

Artwork by Maisie Derlega for Doodle for Google

With the madness of daily life, it’s important to carve out quality time. For one artistic teenager, the simple act of sharing a meal together holds immense value. Maisie Derlega, a recent graduate from Washington DC’s Jackson-Reed High School, has captured the hearts of the nation with her Doodle for Google contest entry titled Family Dinner.

Derlega’s illustration depicts a scene familiar to many: a bustling dinner table overflowing with delicious food. The moment radiates warmth, emphasizing the importance of these communal moments.

Squint closer, and you will find the Google logo thoughtfully tucked into pizza, teapots, an arrangement of flowers, fresh bread, and a slice of cake down the table’s center. 

Artwork by Maisie Derlega for Doodle for Google

For the young artist, family dinners represent more than nourishment; they symbolize connection, love, and shared stories. Her father, a chef, infuses these get-togethers with culinary delights, making the dinner table a sanctuary for bonding. She immortalizes these gatherings, underscores the power of simple moments and the role they play in shaping our lives.

With the contest’s theme “My wish for the next 25 years…” in mind, Derlega conveys a desire for enduring family traditions.

“Every Sunday night is filled with chaos, laughter, and the smell of food in my household,” she expresses. “The standing invitation goes to any friends and family in the area.”

Congratulations to our 2024 Doodle for Google national winner, Maisie! Maisie's Doodle represents her wish for the future to continue her tradition of Sunday dinners with her community. The artwork shows her friends and family gathering for a shared meal→ https://t.co/w8qU60xpOI pic.twitter.com/Tr4rYJGMk7

— Google Doodles (@GoogleDoodles) June 26, 2024

As she embarks on her college journey at the University of Michigan to study art and design, Derlega’s wish is for this tradition to remain a source of connection in her ever-changing life, which she hopes will be anchored by the comfort of family meals.

“As my life grows and changes, my wish for the next 25 years is that this tradition remains a constant,” she continues.

Doodle for Google is an annual competition aimed at K-12 students across the United States. Organized by the search engine giant, the contest invites young artists to submit original illustrations that are then displayed on the Google homepage for a day. Each year, a specific theme inspires the submissions, fostering creativity and critical thinking skills in young minds. This year’s concept, “My wish for the next 25 years…,” challenged students to translate their hopes and dreams into art. 

The win means Derlega’s art graces the homepage of Google, where an estimated 8.5 billion searches are made daily. She also receives a US$55,000 college scholarship and a US$50,000 technology package for her school—a well-deserved boost for her artistic pursuits and future education.

[via Washington Post and ARTnews, cover artwork by Maisie Derlega for Doodle for Google]