See Falls Church First-Grader's Winning Doodle 4 Google

FALLS CHURCH, VA — A first-grader from Falls Church has been named the national winner of the "Doodle 4 Google" contest. Sarah Gomez-Lane, who attends Pine Spring Elementary School in Fairfax County, will have her dinosaur doodle featured on Google's homepage this year.

Google's annual contest is open to students and has received hundreds of thousands of submissions. This year's theme was “What Inspires Me,” which drew submissions on topics from family and food to a passion for intergalactic roller coasters.

Gomez-Lane, who spelled out Google using dinosaurs, highlights her dream of becoming a paleontologist. She was the K-3 finalist and the Virginia state winner.

"We fell in love with Sarah’s rendering of her dinos, and were blown away by her big (you might even say 'dino-sized'!) ambitions for her future, especially at her young age," said Google in a news release.

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The first grader received the award at Google's headquarters Tuesday. She will also get $30,000 toward a college scholarship, and her elementary school will receive $50,000 to spend on technology.

Gomez-Lane told Google she was “surprised” when she learned about being a finalist. She gives this advice to future Doodle 4 Google artists: “Try your best and have fun!”

Over the summer, she will work with the Google Doodle team to bring her artwork to life for the Google homepage. It's the first year Google will have the winner turn the artwork into an animated, interactive Doodle on the Google homepage.

Image via Google