Posted by Galen Panger, Associate, Global Communications and Public Affairs

Today, the 40 regional winners of the Doodle 4 Google contest will be frolicking around the Googleplex in Mountain View in one giant celebration of the students' creativity and imagination -- and one lucky student's doodle will end up on the Google.com homepage tomorrow. Last Friday, our office here in D.C. came to life with the imaginations of the state finalists and regional winners from our region (which includes D.C., Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and West Virginia; check out the "Region 3" doodles here). Twelve students and their families drove long distances to attend our humble party, where each student was invited to say a few words about his or her doodle. A few even tried their hand at Rock Band in our game room.

While some of the doodles were silly or light-hearted, we were surprised that a number touched on more serious subjects like environmentalism, world peace and diversity. We were also pleased to see the doodlers from our region get some local publicity, like this segment about high schooler Zachary Urtes that aired on the local Fox affiliate.

We're big believers in human expression and creativity, and it has been such a pleasure for all of us to celebrate that through the Doodle 4 Google contest. Make sure you check out the Google.com homepage tomorrow to see the winning doodle.


UPDATE: We have a winner - check out the Google.com homepage or visit Doodle 4 Google to see the winning doodle.