TULSA, Okla. — A Jenks High School sophomore is now one of 5 national finalist in the running for this year's “Doodle for Google” contest.
The theme this year is “I show kindness by."
Gwenith Madhan decided she makes an effort to be kind online.
“I first started my design by sketching it out on a piece of graph paper, actually, and I then trace the design on a digital creating app,” Madhan said.
Her doodle is clean and simple, but the meaning behind it is powerful.
“I came to the conclusion that kindness isn't just a random occasional act, but more of, like, but more of the essence of a person, meaning someone who acts with kindness in all situations," Madhan said. "So, I began to think about ways that I demonstrate that.”
Like many teens, she spends a lot of time on social media and knows the dark turn it can take when people forget the Golden Rule.
“I feel people kind of take like two different personalities, based on real-life, and on social media. And I think that's because whenever we meet people in person, we already have all of these like social like unwritten rules if that makes sense. But on social media, those rules don't exist.” Madhan said.
Data from the Mayo Clinic shows 45 percent of 13 to 17 year olds spend most of their time online and 97 percent of that age group use at least one social media platform.
“If people are angry and we get angry, it makes the situation more volatile so that if we choose to, you know, reply with kindness, sometimes that leads to other people replying in a different way and behaving differently,“ said Abby Helman, Family and Children Services.
Helman added, “Being kind to one another is a beautiful way to sort of acknowledge our humanity and care for one another's hearts. Life isn't easy. So, not, not for anybody.”
The message of kindness is a great reminder of what we can do in times of uncertainty.
“It's something that everyone can do, no matter who they are or where they're from, or how much time or money they have to give because it costs, absolutely nothing and it's needed now more than ever,” Madhan said.
If Madhan wins she’ll get a $30,000 scholarship as well as a $50,000 scholarship for technology at Jenks High School.
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