Sundar Pichai Surprises Winner of Doodle for Google Contest with a Video Call

By Dan Cancian

Sundar Pichai (L) surprises the winner of Doodle for Google contest, Milo Golding (R), with a video call. (Twitter/@sundarpichai)

THE JUNE 15TH GOOGLE DOODLE celebrates Milo Golding, the U.S. 2021 Doodle for Google contest winner.

A special temporary alteration to its homepage logo that commemorates holidays, events, achievements and historical figures, the Google Doodle is traditionally reserved for famous people and events.

In a break from tradition, however, on June 15 the Doodle celebrated a Kentucky-based 11th grader.

On Monday, June 14th, Golding was announced as the winner of the 13th annual Doodle for Google competition on NBC's Today show after his artwork was selected as the winner out of 54 state and territory winners.

An annual art contest open to students in grades K-12, Doodle for Google encourages students to create their own Doodle for the chance to have it featured on Google.com.

The winner also receives scholarships and tech packages for their school. In Golding's case, he secured a $30,000 college scholarship and a $50,000 technology package for his school after winning the contest.

The Golding Doodle features a mixed-race kid kneeling in the act to hand a younger child a balloon, while fixing the scarf around the latter's neck.

Two young kids can be seen in the background, one looking above the wall the Google logo is set against, while the other is spreading his arms and facing the screen with his back.

Speaking to Google, Golding said his artwork symbolized the strength of having hope, a lesson he learned from his late father. He wanted his

Doodle to inspire hope and encourage others to overcome obstacles in the face of life's many hardships. "I am strong because I have hope. I once asked my father how he overcame obstacles and became who he wanted to be," he said. "He replied, 'Hope, hope keeps me strong.'"

Golding, a junior at Lexington Christian Academy in Lexington, Kentucky, lost his father to a heart attack when he was 13 and credits retaining hope as the main factor that helped him overcome grief.

He channeled his trauma into helping others and through his Sanguine Path charity he supports children who find themselves in a similar scenario.

The charity helps kids under 18 who have lost loved ones with care packages, back-to-school kits and holiday gifts. "Milo is one of those truly special young people who makes our school, community, commonwealth, nation, and world a better place," said LCA Head of School, Dr. Scott Wells. "Milo's message of hope is a powerful and courageous statement that inspires those around him to be a difference in the lives of others. This morning, he inspired our nation when word of his story broke in the news."

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear was full of praise for the teenager. "On behalf of the entire commonwealth, congratulations on winning Doodle for Google," he said. "Your talent is truly incredible. And the story behind your artwork is beautiful, personal and inspiring. I see your strength. I also see that hope your father taught you about. And now, your work will inspire hope in others. Congratulations. And thank you for sharing your talents."

To all upcoming K-12 teachers, parents, and students: be sure to bookmark our website for updates around the 2022 Doodle for Google contest, set to open again this Fall. www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/who-is-doodlefor-google-2021-winner-milo-golding-google-doodlecelebrates-11th-grader/ar-AAL3xd2?ocid=uxbndlbing Image credit: © Google, google.com