A United South Central High School junior was selected as one of two Minnesota finalists for her age category in the Doodle 4 Google national art competition.

The theme was “What I Wish for the World.” Dianna Tatge drew tropical flowers around the Google logo to represent hope for the Earth, she said. It was titled “Be Beautiful.”

The artwork is posted on the Doodle 4 Google page online under “State Finalists” and “Grades 10-12.”

She said she draws cartoons occasionally and doodles in class sometimes. She was modest about winning.

She drew the doodle as part of an assignment in teacher Cheryl Koestler’s computer-applications class.

“I was probably more excited than anyone that this happened,” Koestler said.

She said some students speculated they would never win, but when Tatge became a state finalist, it showed them what was possible.

Doodle 4 Google state finalists

Schools could submit six entries in March. Class members drew and then voted to decide which to submit, she said.

Koestler said her original plan was to have the students do a computer drawing, but then she discovered most Doodle 4 Google entries were hand-drawn, then digitally scanned. She said the activity combines artwork with computer skills.

Tatge is the daughter of Sandy and Dale Tatge of Wells.

The national winner for the 2009 Doodle 4 Google contest was Christin Engelberth of San Antonio, Texas.