As young children tend to do, Palm Bay third-grader Landen Slater tried to pay attention to Friday's presentation at school.

There was the occasional yawn. He stretched — you know, because it's early. And he even smiled as he chatted to friends seated next to him.

Representatives from the world's most famous Internet search engine were talking to Westside Elementary students, firing them up, giving them facts, figures and more about their company.

And the bright young kids pretty much already knew the things they were talking about.

But Landen didn't know he was about to become the focus of the entire gathering.

The kids were assembled to listen to Google and the school talk about the "Doodle 4 Google" national art competition, which has children design Google logos marking special days, events or people.

When they announced the winner from the state of Florida, Landen's smile turned to elation. Then, it was time for the big reveal: his winning doodle.

His artwork includes saws, tape measure, hammer and nails drawn into the Google logo.

Landen was influenced by his grandfather, with whom he works in his "Pa's" carpentry business.

"I try to help him out the best I can, teach him what I know. He was just thinking about what he loves to do and put it on paper," said Jeff Knowles, Landen's grandfather.

Landen also got a tablet, and Google donated art supplies to the school in his honor.

"I am very proud of him," said his mother, Jennifer Knowles.

As for our winner, he's a guy of few words, and lets his art do the talking.

"Excited. Because I won," he said with a smile.

Landen has a chance to win on the national stage. For information on how you can vote for him, go to http://www.google.com/doodle4google/vote.html

Google 4 Doodle timeline

  • Feb. 5, 2016: Google announces the 53 state and territory winners and travels to their schools to unveil their artwork at an assembly.
  • Feb. 5-22: The public can vote online for their favorite doodle by visiting the Doodle 4 Google website.
  • March 21: The national winner is announced, and their doodle goes live on Google.com. The winner and the four national finalists will visit Mountain View, Calif., to meet the Google Doodle team.
  • March 21: The winning doodle will be featured on our Google.com homepage.


Palm Bay 3rd-grader Landen Slater shows off his winning Google 4 Doodle entry Friday, Feb. 5, 2016. His doodle will represent Florida in a national competition, whose winner will be displayed on the Google home page in March. (Greg Pallone, staff)