GOOGLE NAMES HAUGHTON STUDENT STATE WINNER

ETHAN PEASE GOES TO NATIONAL COMPETITION

  If Ethan Pease ever wondered what it was like to be a rock star, he got a good idea Wednesday afternoon.

  The eighth grader was the center of attention at Haughton Middle School, where representatives from Google traveled from San Francisco to make a big announcement. Ethan won the state competition in the Internet search company's "Doodle 4 Google" artwork contest. Making his win even more impressive, Ethan's artistic rendition of the Google logo was one of 114,000 entries.

  His mom, Terri Pease, was on cloud nine. "We're very excited," she said. "It's so humbling to see how other people are recognizing his accomplishments. Ethan has been drawing since he was three. He has a phenomenal gift."

  During the student assembly, Ethan was quick to give credit where credit was due. "I love drawing. I love art. And I can do all things through Christ," he told the audience and his peers. 

  The theme of this year's contest is, "If I could travel in time, I'd visit ..."  Accompanying his entry, he wrote, "If I could travel in time, I'd visit the Italian Renaissance. I would meet masters of art such as Da Vinci and Michelangelo. Enjoy the Tower of Pisa before it leaned. I might see the Carnevale and enjoy the fireworks at night or visit Galileo and look at the stars."

  Ethan's design incorporates the Mona Lisa, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Galileo, an artist's palette and pizza. He explained to the crowd, "I chose Italy because it's the birthplace of art and there is no better time than the Italian Renaissance."

  One of the Google representatives called it "one of the coolest doodles I've seen."

  Now, it's up to the public to help Ethan Pease win the national finals. On-line voting is taking place now through May 10. The highest ranking doodler will be named at an awards ceremony May 17 in New York City, and Ethan and his parents will be there.

  The winner's design will be featured on the Google.com home page and the Crayola 64 crayon boxes. The winner will also receive a $30,000 college scholarship, computer equipment and a $5,000 technology stipend and be given $45,000 to donate to a public school or library in their community.

  Let's all help Ethan win. Go to www.google.com/doodle4google. Click on 'state finalists' and then the 8-9 category. Look for Ethan P. -- LA and vote.

  Good luck, Ethan, and congratulations for already being a winner!