The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
‘It brings people together’
Teen’s Google Doodle about music is in national contest
TORRINGTON — You can Google it.
Voting began Monday for the winner of the Connecticut state competition for the “Doodle 4 Google” art contest and teen Savannah Helm, of Torrington, is one of 52 state five winners who will compete in the national competition that gives the young artists the opportunity to have their artwork displayed on Google’s homepage.
The national award also offers a $30,000 college scholarship plus a $50,000 technology grant the recipient can donate to a school or nonprofit organization of their choice.
The 13-year-old’s entry, called “Music,” depicts a tuba with sun rays beaming out of the horn.
The centerpiece of the ink drawing is a piano keyboard with a hand poised to play a song. “I drew as many instruments as I could,” Savannah said. The colorful drawing represents the contest’s theme of “what inspires me.”
The home-schooled eighth grader said she decided to enter the Google contest in the spring.
“I saw it online and I figured I’d try it out for fun,” she said.
“I drew about music because it brings people together in so many ways,” Savannah’s entry on the Google Doodle contest says. “Me and my little brother dance to our favorite artists, my friends and I sing along to the radio, but most importantly I use music to worship God.”
She didn’t fret over whether she would win or not. “I actually forgot about it for a while,” Savannah said.
If the contest wasn’t continually on her mind, the surprise party she recently received Thursday night definitely grabbed Savannah’s attention. When she walked in to find about six dozen friends and their parents gathered at her church, Savannah began to realize something was up, she said.
“I was really shocked. I wondered who is this for? Is this for me?” The celebration was held at the Northwest Hills Community Church on Prospect Street where her uncle, Michael Burgos, is the pastor.
Two representatives from Google attended the party and handed out T-shirts. Savannah joined them on stage where they unveiled a large 5-by-8 foot print of her winning art piece which she took home. She also received a prize of a Chromebook.
Savannah is the only homeschooled student in the competition to win a state spot in the national contest.
“We are so excited she’s been recognized,” said Savannah’s mom, Danielle.
She said her daughter started taking art lessons last year.
“She has a humble confidence,” Danielle Helm added.
Savannah’s aunt, Marion Burgos, of Winsted, said her niece has played piano since she was four.
“She’s always been creative,” Burgos said. “Every square inch of her bedroom walls are filled with art.”
The next step toward winning the national competition rests with Savannah’s friends, family and the wider community.
That’s because the public has until May 18 to use Google’s online voting system to choose the national winner. The web address is: https://doodles.google.com/d4g/.
To cast a vote, look for the Google icon in the top left corner.