Milbank student a finalist for national Google Doodle contest with 'Laundry Break'

A student from Milbank could soon see her artwork on the Google homepage in front of millions of users, if she wins the 14th annual Doodle for Google competition.

Kinley VanHoorn, a fifth grader, was recently chosen as the winner for South Dakota in the student contest. She is one of 54 state and territory winners for her Doodle, “Laundry Break.”

The students’ prompt for the doodle was “I care for myself by…” and VanHoorn said her picture represents things that help her relax and avoid anxiety or stress. A calm atmosphere, doing laundry, reading and playing with her cat all help VanHoorn care for herself, she said.

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Google Doodles must spell “Google.” VanHoorn’s doodle shows “G” in the vines of the house plant, “oo” in the washer and dryer, “g” in the books on the bookshelf, “l” as the shape of the picture frame on the wall and “e” in the cat’s tail.

VanHoorn’s doodle will advance to a vote of all 54 state and territory winners in July. Everyone across the U.S can vote for their favorite of the student doodles, one from each grade group, from 1 p.m. ET July 7 to 3 a.m. ET July 13 at doodles.google.com.

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The public vote will determine the five national finalists, one from each grade group (K-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-12). Google will announce the five finalists in July, one of whom will have their doodle featured on the Google homepage for a day.

The National Winner will take home a $30,000 college scholarship and their school will receive a $50,000 tech package towards the establishment or improvement of a computer lab or technology program.