D.C. student wins 'Doodle for Google' art competition

“It’s so awesome, and my art piece is on the Google homepage,” Derlega, 17, said in a phone interview. “It’s just so cool. All of it.”

D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) congratulated Derlega on social media, writing, “Maisie, we are cheering you on today and as you continue to win for DC at college and beyond.”

Since 2008, Google has hosted a competition for young artists. Students are required to spell out Google in their artwork, which follows a theme. Entries are judged on artistic merit, creativity and theme communication.

This year’s theme was, “My wish for the next 25 years …”

Judges pick 55 students from across U.S. states and territories from the pool of entries. From there, five finalists are selected and a public vote helps determine the winner.

Derlega said she had considered entering last year’s competition, but by the time it was on her radar, the deadline passed. This year, she kept an eye out for it. When she saw the theme was announced, she started working on her piece.

The idea came to her quickly. She wanted to portray people gathered at a table and eating food — replicating the family dinners she has every Sunday.

“Since I’m going to college, I’m thinking a lot about my future and how things are changing in my life, but there’s also things that I really hope stay the same,” she said. “One of those things is these family dinners I have every Sunday, and I just hope when I come back to visit, I can continue to join them.”

Derlega started with a pencil sketch, then re-created it digitally on her iPad. She picked food that could represent the letters in Google: a pizza crust for the G; a slice of cake for the E. And she chose to make the dinner’s attendees diverse so it was “applicable and relatable to everyone,” she said.

In total, it took her an estimated 35 hours.

She was told she won the competition last week via a prerecorded video from singer Olivia Rodrigo. She had to keep the recognition secret until it was publicly announced Wednesday.

Derlega said creating art has always been a part of her life. Even in preschool and kindergarten, there was always art lining the walls of her home, she recalled. She said she gradually started becoming more serious about it, especially after being guided by her art teachers. In the fall, she plans to attend the University of Michigan to study art and design.

“I feel like there’s been very little question about whether or not this is something I pursue, but this competition has definitely helped me solidify that I think I’ve made the right choice,” she said.

“Every artist wants to be seen, and this is being seen on such on massive level,” Derlega said. “It’s just such an honor.”