Sixteen-year-old Sophie Araque-Liu of Martin County, Florida, is the winner of the 2022 Doodle for Google contest. The theme of this year’s contest was “I care for myself by….” Araque-Liu’s winning artwork is about the importance of accepting help and support from others.

The artwork, called “Not alone,” depicts Araque-Liu sharing a hug with her mother. It’s meant to represent the love and care she has received from her mom throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“I care for myself by letting other people care for me…,” Araque-Liu told TC Palm newspaper. “It’s just amazing to know you still have people supporting you, and you don’t need to try to do everything on your own.”

The annual Doodle for Google contest is open to students in kindergarten through 12th grade who live in the United States or one of its territories. According to the contest rules, artists can work with any material, “from crayons to clay to found objects.” Judges select state and territory winners first and then choose one winner from each of five age groups. Finally, the national winner is selected.

As the winner of the top prize, Araque-Liu got to have her work displayed on Google’s homepage for 24 hours and received a $30,000 college scholarship. The prize also included $50,000 to fund a computer lab or technology program at her school.

“I’m not used to all the attention,” Araque-Liu told TC Palm. “But I’m so happy and so excited.”