Doodle 4 Google - State finalists

State finalists

Congratulations to the state finalists. Approximately 400 doodles from across the country were chosen by a panel of independent judges and Google employees based on which doodles they feel best represent the "What I Wish for the World" theme. In each state, two doodles were selected in each grade group, meaning that each grade group and each state were equally represented. Entries from the District of Columbia were judged along with entries from Maryland.

Alabama

Grades K-3: Emma Connell, Arden Lieux

Grades 4-6: Elizabeth Boulet, Austin Redding

Grades 7-9: Ashley Alexander, Austin Parrish

Grades 10-12: Jennifer Lewis, Lydia Stevens

Alaska

Grades K-3: May Geml, Elijah Griffin

Grades 4-6: Malia Transue *

Grades 7-9: Kyra Laulainen, Katherine Seeman

Grades 10-12: Alexandra Crowder, Geordey Sherrick

Arizona

Grades K-3: Lauren Moore, Keelin Klocke

Grades 4-6: Abbey Fitzgerald, Paris Brown

Grades 7-9: Ines Slomic, Anja Asato

Grades 10-12: Dayla Deann Marie Wittie, Amy Muser

Arkansas

Grades K-3: Cindy Ramioez, Brittany Pharis

Grades 4-6: Anna Lagrome, Taylor Hope Mcgraw

Grades 7-9: Ethan Terry, Haley Pontius

Grades 10-12: Caryn Price, Jennifer Brownfield

California

Grades K-3: Gavin Raitt Hughes, Jessica Hsueh

Grades 4-6: Madison Santana, Sabah K Islam

Grades 7-9: Tiffany Patmon, Cassidy Ha

Grades 10-12: Evan Yu, Charlotte Markle

Colorado

Grades K-3: Natalie Patrick, Sameek Das

Grades 4-6: Brandon Hill, Calista Alexandra Prananta

Grades 7-9: Amelia Spicer, Ally Weaver

Grades 10-12: Brianna Barnes, Anthony Martinez

Connecticut

Grades K-3: Lillian Oliveira, Johnny Zuk

Grades 4-6: Julia Wynn Horowitz, Cory Hassmann

Grades 7-9: Karolyn Olsen, Silvana Alarcon

Grades 10-12: Ho-jin Kim, Kelsey Carpenter

Delaware

Grades K-3:Aravind Arunachalam, Grace Para

Grades 4-6:Anna Claire Schmiedel, Chanel Smith

Grades 7-9:Hannah Crismon, Lyniah Williams

Grades 10-12:Josh Voshell, Emily Dorsey

Florida

Grades K-3:Claire Yuka Bellas, Kelly Majid

Grades 4-6:Naomi Jade Granado, Seanna Harris

Grades 7-9:Jonah Sheffield, Jose Vega

Grades 10-12:Anna Toptchi, Anna Cheng

Georgia

Grades K-3:Abbigail Harrelson, Anagha Kangovi

Grades 4-6:Jordan Coleman, Emma Morris

Grades 7-9:Melanie Ng, Brice Messerly

Grades 10-12:Jenna Zanrubia, Josephine Ruffsloan

Hawaii

Grades K-3:Frank Fesi Iii, Cameron Hersh

Grades 4-6:Brandon Kim, Celia Kenney

Grades 7-9:Alvin Johnson Iii, Lina Lee

Grades 10-12:Keolamaikalani Ahina, Natasha Gemine

Idaho

Grades K-3:Dylan Crosby, Autumn Jedry

Grades 4-6:Sadie Shirts, Gabrielle Smith

Grades 7-9:Camille Saadia Hancock, Alex Jordan

Grades 10-12:Breanna Francis, Jesse Koupuzi

Illinois

Grades K-3:Henry Jordan Shield, Eshia Rustagi

Grades 4-6:Aaron Sanders, Min E Chen

Grades 7-9:Anna Kapton, Maleeha Ahmed

Grades 10-12:Nate Johnson, James Lees

Indiana

Grades K-3:Maredeth Steever, Ally Grimes

Grades 4-6:Kameron Nosko, Carley Olivia Ochs

Grades 7-9:Jessica Dennis, Elly Ericson

Grades 10-12:Justine Brumfield, Hayden Gloyeske

Iowa

Grades K-3:Keaton Hewitt, Brook Kauffman

Grades 4-6:Katie Amick, Joe Vest

Grades 7-9:Cassidy Boe, Bridget Johnston

Grades 10-12:Brian Marczewski, Colby Casey

Kansas

Grades K-3:Morgan Ashley Fischer, Jackie Tian

Grades 4-6:Elijah Sisson, Adamm Khan

Grades 7-9:Robert Dallas, Lilian Tay

Grades 10-12:Garrett Steinlage, Cailtin Wienck

Kentucky

Grades K-3:Emma Cress, Sarah Cook

Grades 4-6:Alexandra Trunnell, Nicole M Dowling

Grades 7-9:Ethan Lee, Caroline Krumme

Grades 10-12:Kelsey Driscoll, Emerald Lu

Louisiana

Grades K-3:Baylie Richard Fornet, Paiton Seal

Grades 4-6:Dominique Bernard, Bobbi S Laderer

Grades 7-9:Andrea Long, Britney Stine

Grades 10-12:Alexandra Olivier, Alexandra Pounds

Maine

Grades K-3:Alyssa Decker, John Johnson

Grades 4-6:Dylan Grannis, Carli Marie Lynch

Grades 7-9:Amy Xiao Xiang Bley, Deldar Golchehreh

Grades 10-12:Nathaniel Steinbeck, Shelby Stevens

Massachusetts

Grades K-3:Gayathri Nandyalam, Joseph Marek

Grades 4-6:Annie Tsai, Anjalee Gunaratnam

Grades 7-9:Danielle Farrell, Ainsiey Ryan

Grades 10-12:Jesse Stecklai, Melissa Krok-horton

Michigan

Grades K-3:Maxwell Holliday, Daniel Nair

Grades 4-6:Jessica Sandler, Cody Carlson

Grades 7-9:Ali Leon, Ann Marie Randall

Grades 10-12:Evi Wakomoto, Dahnae Simerson

Minnesota

Grades K-3:Alaina Beaver, Alaina Gausepohl

Grades 4-6:Zachary Wosika, Amanda Scherber

Grades 7-9:Cally Nielsen, Brittanie P Perez

Grades 10-12:Dianna Tatge, Hayley Grefe

Mississippi

Grades K-3:Savannah Leary, Amelia Irby

Grades 4-6:Ashton Brashier, Madison Lambert

Grades 7-9:Karly Coffey, Ashley Carter

Grades 10-12:Britteny Hudson, Haley Dickinson

Missouri

Grades K-3:Dalton Cuzner, Matthew Driggers

Grades 4-6:Julie Bowman, Nick Amann

Grades 7-9:Kathleen Stanford, Blayne Fox

Grades 10-12:Baylee Duzenberry, Edgar Favila

Montana

Grades K-3:Brooklynn Zufelt, Kennedy Bucy-anderson

Grades 4-6:Lily Blakeman, Katie Hawes

Grades 7-9:Autumn Ibach, Miranda Meyer

Grades 10-12:Cheri Trusler, Kyle Butterhof

Nebraska

Grades K-3:Emma Hopkins, Justin Dyke

Grades 4-6:Isabella Wiegert, Annika Brown

Grades 7-9:Katie Sorersen, Drew Shifter

Grades 10-12:Marissa Novak, Marisa Esch

Nevada

Grades K-3:Alexa Camberos, Natasha Marko

Grades 4-6:Carlos Lopez, Matthew Manno

Grades 7-9:Rockylin, John Palmer

Grades 10-12:Frances Herlinda Alonzo, Kira Blighton

New Hampshire

Grades K-3:Theo Demaise, Estela Raya Dimamtro

Grades 4-6:Troy Dewsnup, Loey Gregory Wiley

Grades 7-9:Chris Nobrega, Sarah Cozzens

Grades 10-12:Amanda Kehoe, Meaghan Parker

New Jersey

Grades K-3:Steven Leal, Dakota Brooke Young

Grades 4-6:Jocelyn K Lee, Courtney Bodine

Grades 7-9:Ben Reyes, Katie Hyland

Grades 10-12:Anna Frolova, Joseph Park

New Mexico

Grades K-3:Amari Alexander, Kylee Leal

Grades 4-6:Alissa Serafin, Aspen Mirabal

Grades 7-9:Blake Bond, Celeste Herrera

Grades 10-12:Jose Alexander Vazquez, Demitri Miller

New York

Grades K-3:Andrew Kosaraju, Sinceraty Alexander

Grades 4-6:Piper Taich, Tamanka Yeasmin

Grades 7-9:Sidra Ijaz, Abigail Kois

Grades 10-12:Aaron Perez, Vahid Sula

North Carolina

Grades K-3:Deanna Lin Herald, Christopher Dale Couture

Grades 4-6:Abbigail Barber, Dylan Price

Grades 7-9:Angelica-eeva Melissa Digiulio, Adina Jan

Grades 10-12:Ellen Lafferty, Elizabeth Harman

North Dakota

Grades K-3:Colby Larson, Evelyn Fouts

Grades 4-6:Alexus Ernest, Marissa Schuldheisz

Grades 7-9:Sarah Mcnaughton, Austin W Rolla

Grades 10-12:Jesse Radenmacher, Jordan Williams

Ohio

Grades K-3:Hannah Nguyen, Harshitha Nagle

Grades 4-6:Nate Butler, Benjamin A White

Grades 7-9:Teresa Greweling, Blakley Linz

Grades 10-12:Caitrin Sparling, Carla Waddel

Oklahoma

Grades K-3:Andrew Seare, Caitlyn Smith

Grades 4-6:Katryna Webb, L Katie Hardin

Grades 7-9:Kathleen Hazleton, Callie Roberts

Grades 10-12:Lauren Fleck, Rachel Thompsen

Oregon

Grades K-3:Michaela Lees, Elizabeth Lorenz

Grades 4-6:Benjamin Hastings, Storm Wedel

Grades 7-9:Ella Ray, Jessica Woolley

Grades 10-12:Ashley Yackamouth, Ashley Spear

Pennsylvania

Grades K-3:Sarah G Dunn, Elizabeth Denver

Grades 4-6:Natalie E Sarnese, Timothy Devalerio

Grades 7-9:Shariff King-john, Alan A Asriants

Grades 10-12:Jessica Sperdude, Jeff Warner

Rhode Island

Grades K-3:Emma Dunn, Conor Lowery

Grades 4-6:Adam Cowell, Meghan Obrien

Grades 7-9:Cari Hopkins, Abigail I Ray

Grades 10-12:Franchesca Rivas, Erica Chin

South Carolina

Grades K-3:Kyle Kopald, Nathan Mileski

Grades 4-6:Sherry Lambert, Hayden Furman

Grades 7-9:Caroline Harkins, Jermaine Mitchell

Grades 10-12:Catherine Collins, Brittnee Price

South Dakota

Grades K-3:Callie Otkin, Hayley Stotz

Grades 4-6:Moritz Little, Maddi Barness

Grades 7-9:Caitlyn Schwebach, Janae Mehlhaff

Grades 10-12:Danielle Voyles *

Tennessee

Grades K-3:Clara Ruiz, Miriam Elizabeth Lowery

Grades 4-6:Bailey Rankin, Ariel Thomos

Grades 7-9:Megan Rigsby, Preston Pickett

Grades 10-12:Jamayra Ortiz, Samantha Blanton

Texas

Grades K-3:Liliana Burgess, Iysis Ruiz

Grades 4-6:Virginia Reader, Christin Engelberth

Grades 7-9:Jackn Mann *

Grades 10-12:Bethany Norwood, Gabriela Buentello

Utah

Grades K-3:Angel L Jordan, Kanea Quinlan

Grades 4-6:Keston Davis, Austen Westenskow

Grades 7-9:Maren Anderson, Kailey Eberhard

Grades 10-12:Lindsey Newman, Josh Vanleeuwen

Vermont

Grades K-3:Benjamin Sonya, Lydia Ann Gaboriault

Grades 4-6:Abigail Pearl, Georgianna Chase

Grades 7-9:Andrew Gayda, Victoria Wolf

Grades 10-12:Bonnie Schnabel, Jake Caggige

Virginia

Grades K-3:Bryce Brown, Alex Koutras

Grades 4-6:Ashley Rivera, Angela He

Grades 7-9:Yedi Han, Andrew Rochman

Grades 10-12:Igor Ousyannyka, Cassy Untiedt

Washington

Grades K-3:Michael Loria **

Grades 4-6:Thuy Luu, Zoe Brants

Grades 7-9:Azita Footohi, Jessie Lang

Grades 10-12:Quan Dao, Nataly Vasquez

Washington DC / Maryland

Grades K-3:Angeline Faieq, Galila Lingo

Grades 4-6:Aileen Yu, Arizza Santos

Grades 7-9:Ellena Popova, Elizabeth Keto

Grades 10-12:Jourdan Stallknecht, Elizabeth Williams

West Virginia

Grades K-3:Riley Michelle Carder, Alavia Anderson

Grades 4-6:Abigail Williams, Austin Gage Druid

Grades 7-9:Amie Bowling, Brooke Davis

Grades 10-12:Jonathon Rice, Emily Stinespring

Wisconsin

Grades K-3:Arianna Luebke *

Grades 4-6:Ryan Gielow, Ben Boehm

Grades 7-9:Jillyan Nichols, Sarah Vogel

Grades 10-12:Maci Sprosty, Stephanie Georgeson

Wyoming

Grades K-3:Hayden Hoover **

Grades 4-6:Sierra Brooks Bustos, Lauren Sarantopolos

Grades 7-9:Camille Ohman, Holly Wilkerson

Grades 10-12:(no submissions from this grade)

* Note: only one winner for this state/grade group due to submissions.

** Note: incomplete due to missing data.

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Create your Google Profile

(From Google Blog)

We recently announced that Google profile results now appear at the bottom of U.S. name-query search pages. Creating a profile gives you greater control over what people find when they search for your name on Google. Your profile can include online photos, links to your blog or other online profiles, and ways for people to contact you -- and you can restrict contact information like your address and phone number to only the people and groups you choose.

When creating a profile, you have the option to use your Gmail username as a your profile URL (profiles.google.com/yourusername), so it's easier to remember and share. Some examples:
http://profiles.google.com/mattcutts
http://profiles.google.com/felicia.day

If you want people to be able to contact you, but don't want to reveal your email address to the world, you can hide your username and use a 24 digit number instead. Turn on the 'Send a message' feature, and anyone with a Google Account can send you a message through your profile, without having your email address revealed to them.

Don't have a profile? Go to www.google.com/profiles to get started.

Profiles: Making your profile easier to find

If you want your profile to appear in Google search results, visit the Edit profile page and make sure you've selected to display your full name. Adding more information will help you improve your profile's rank.

When you or others search for your name on Google, a link to your Google profile may appear at the bottom of the search results next to your profile picture.

Here are some tips to help you make your Google profile more useful:

• Add information about yourself on the Edit profile page so people can find you when they search by keywords associated with your profile. For example, include details such as the name of your hometown, your job title, where you work or go to school.
• Link to your profile on another website (for instance, your blog or online photo album).
• If you have a common name, add enough information about you to distinguish your profile from similar ones. Photos are especially useful.
• Verify your name, and get a "Verified" badge on your profile. Verify alternate addresses on your account.

Want to get to your profile quickly? If you're signed in, do a Google search for [ me ].

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What does the Link field do?

The Quick Answer

• The Link field associates a post with another webpage for reference.
• It's handy for link blogs or blogs that frequently provide critiques or commentary on other sites.

Note: This article assumes you're using a customized classic template. If you're using Layouts or a default classic template, set the Show Link Field option to Yes to enable the link field.

The Link field can be very useful if your blog posts are frequently about other articles, and you want the links to these articles visible on your public blog.

To enable the Link field:

1. Go to Settings | Formatting and scroll to the bottom.
2. Set Show Link Field to Yes.

1. Paste this code into the appropriate place in your template:

   
   ">Link
   
   

The "posted by" line is usually a good spot for it, but be creative:

Here's what this looks like on the BoingBoing weblog:

Another method is to make your Post Titles links, like on Ev's blog:

Notes:

• You must specify a protocol when using the Link field, i.e. http://www.blogger.com — www.blogger.com isn't sufficient

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Google Search right in Gmail - NEW IN LAB's

(From Google Blog)

I used to have a problem. People would ask me questions, over chat or email, and I'd have to leave Gmail to search Google for an answer. Then I'd have to select the answer, copy it, go back to Gmail and paste the answer into the chat window or my reply. Sometimes I'd get distracted and forget to go back to Gmail, and I'd have to go through it all again when I remembered what I'd been doing.

With the new Google Search experiment in Gmail Labs, my problem is solved. When you turn this feature on from the Labs tab under Settings, you'll see a new search box on the left side of your inbox, like this:

Type your search in, and a window (like a chat window, but a bit bigger) appears at the bottom of your screen with the first few search results.

You can click on a search result and it'll open up in another window (or another tab) so you can make sure it's what you're looking for. Once you're sure it's a result you need, moving your mouse over the result back in Gmail reveals a pull-down menu that lets you do stuff with the search result.

What's in the menu depends on what you're doing in Gmail:

• If you're reading a message, you can start a reply to the message with the search result as the first thing in your reply.
• If you're writing a message, you can paste the result, or just the URL into your message.
• If you're chatting with someone, you can send the result via chat.
• You can also always compose a new message to send the search result.

If you have keyboard shortcuts turned on, typing g and then / will take you to the search box when you're not composing, and Ctrl + g will do it when you're composing (that's ⌘ + g for Mac users).

Like all things in Gmail Labs, we're going to be tinkering with it, so let us know what you think.

Oh, and one other thing: with all the stuff we've been adding to Gmail Labs lately, the left side of your account might be getting crowded. A lot of the people who've been playing with this new feature have found it useful to turn on "Navbar drag and drop" in Labs so they can move the web search box up to the top where it's easy to get to.

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