A Louisiana high school student and emerging artist who has advanced to the final stages of a national art competition is seeking support to land the $30,000 scholarship prize.
According to NOLA.com, high school senior Morrah Burton-Edwards was selected as one of 54 finalists who will compete for the prize in Google’s Doodle for Google competition.
The contest, which asks participants to create an original illustration spelling out Google, was created in 2008 and celebrates the creativity of youth. For this year’s theme of “I show kindness by…,” Burton-Edwards said she was inspired by her family and the various ways they show each other love.
"A simple act of kindness like a hug can light up someone's day. But most importantly, I show kindness by loving those even when they are unkind to me. That is the most important time to be kind and the most difficult,” she wrote about her doodle, “Love Made Visible.”
I am one of 54 finalists in the Doodle 4 Google Competition! I am on the road to winning $30,000 in scholarship. But I need help from you guys in order to become 1 of 5 National Finalists. Go to https://t.co/mQFwFHLgWt and vote for my drawing! Voting ends on Friday! Please share pic.twitter.com/xTMluDLg2g
— Morrah Burton-Edwards (@MorrahB) August 17, 2020
On Wednesday, the rising artist tweeted she was ecstatic to see the outpouring of support from people inspired by her work.
“Thank you so much to those who have already voted and shared! Over the past few days I’ve gotten so much love from complete strangers! I really didn’t expect so much support,” she said.
Go to the link in bio, click 10-12 and vote for Louisiana ???????? pic.twitter.com/X4FwntNDrB
— Morrah Burton-Edwards (@MorrahB) August 19, 2020
Voting for the top five national finalists took place from Aug.17 to Aug. 21, and Burton-Edwards asks anyone moved by her piece to vote for it before the end of Friday. For those who have voted for the creative teen, she asks that you share her campaign with a friend.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards tweeted his support of the scholar on Thursday and made a statewide appeal to garner support for her.
.@MorrahB Is a very talented Louisiana artist who is a finalist for the Google Doodle Competition. Go to https://t.co/s0llBalJzI and vote for her drawing. Voting ends tomorrow, so let’s show her some Louisiana support! #lagov
— John Bel Edwards (@LouisianaGov) August 20, 2020
After this stage of the competition wraps up Friday, the finalists will compete for the $30,000 scholarship and the opportunity to have their illustration displayed on Google.com for a day.
Regardless of the outcome of the competition, Burton-Edwards has a bright future ahead of her. The senior is a CAVA (Certificate of Artistry in Visual Arts) student at her school and previously won the 2020 Muses Mardi Gras design cup contest, WWL TV reports.
