Wyoming student is the winner and finalist of the Doodle for Google contest

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - A Central High School student has been chosen as the winner for Wyoming in the “Doodle for Google” student contest.

A talented Wyoming student could soon have her art on Google’s homepage for millions to see.

Google has announced the winners of its 15th annual competition.

The contest allows K-12 students across the U.S. to create their version of the Google logo inspired by the prompt “I am grateful for....”

“I feel like art is for everyone. It’s a way to express yourself, and to be....it’s an outlet. To kind of show your emotions and put them on paper in ways that people can’t see with words or anything else. So, I think everyone should try art, it’s an amazing thing.  It really, it brings light into my life, and I feel like it can bring light into anyone else’s life if they try it,” said Ashli Smedley, Artist and Wyoming Winner of Doodle for Google Competition.

An 11th grader from Central High is one of the winners with her doodle called “just one glance.

Ashli’s art was selected from thousands of entries.

Students at Central high school helped Ashli celebrate during a surprise assembly on Monday.

To help Ashli place for the bigger prize, folks can vote for their favorite artist from May 18th to 25th.

The public votes will determine the five national finalists, and folks can vote several times a day, and Google will announce these finalists in late May.

The national winner will take home a $30K college scholarship, and their school will receive a $50K tech package towards a computer lab or tech program.

Ashli says her art represents a woman remembering the happy times of her childhood.

”We’re really hoping that we can get wWoming behind us. We’re kind of at a disadvantage being the smallest state, so we really need everyone to get excited for Ashli aand help represent our state of Wyoming and go out and vote,” said Trisha Smedley, Ashli’s Mom.

Tricia says Ashli had never taken an art class before and started when an Aunt gave Ashli an art kit.

Ashli decided to enter the contest after her friend entered the competition and won.

For folks interested in voting for Ashli’s work and helping put Wyoming art on the map, voting starts May 18th, and you can place your votes here.

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