Mason kindergartener, Dearborn County high schooler finalists in Doodle for Google contest

Two local students are in the running to have their artwork displayed on Google's search page for a day.

Talia Perera, who attends Mason Early Childhood Center, was named a finalist for the 16th annual Doodle for Google contest in the K-3 division. Carson Mapes, a student at East Central High School in Dearborn County, Indiana, is also a finalist for the 10-12 division.

Doodle for Google is an annual art contest that invites students in grades K-12 to create their own Google logo based on that year's theme. Competing students may win scholarships, and the top winner gets their artwork displayed on Google.com for 24 hours.

This year's Google for Doodle theme is a nod to Google's 25th anniversary. Students answered the prompt “My wish for the next 25 years ..." through their art.

In this first round, Google chooses one doodle from each state and five U.S. territories. The public then chooses five national finalists from the 55 doodles.

Talia's "A better earth" doodle is the finalist for the state of Ohio, and Carson's "Together We Heal" is a finalist for Indiana.

Talia's drawing features plants, a rocket, a person surfing, a snowman and various animals.

"This year, we didn't get much snow and the weather keeps changing," Perera wrote to describe the doodle. "In 25 years, my wish is a better Earth with all seasons, vacations to the Moon and a place where animals and all humans can live in peace."

Carson's artwork depicts children gardening together, a doctor, peace signs and hearts, and a planet Earth with bandages.

"We need to heal our Earth so we can have a future with more growth and less hatred. This can happen in my lifetime if enough of us plant the seeds and regrow our way of life across the world," Carson's entry reads. "This Doodle represents the healing hearts of humans, world peace, and acceptance. Together, as one, we heal."

The national finalists receive a $5,000 college scholarship. In the final round, the national winner will be selected and win a $55,000 college scholarship, $50,000 of supplies for their school and will get their artwork displayed on Google.

Voting is currently live for the national finalists and will close Tuesday.

In response to Perera being named a finalist, Mason City Schools wrote in a Facebook post, "Talia's creativity and artistic talent inspire and remind us of the exciting possibilities the future holds."

"Special thanks to Talia's art teacher, Sarah Varda, and kindergarten teacher Zoe Hufnagle, for fostering a love of the arts in Talia and many other students."

You can cast your vote for your favorite doodle at https://doodles.google.com/d4g/.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio, Indiana students named finalists in Doodle for Google contest