SEATTLE – An 18-year-old Seattle student won the national “Doodle for Google” art competition, securing a major scholarship and directing a massive technology prize to a local public high school.

Kameriah Johnson, who graduated from Seattle’s Lakeside School last week, won the contest with a custom Google logo celebrating Black hair. Alongside her $55,000 scholarship, Johnson chose to redirect the accompanying $50,000 Google technology package away from her own private school to Rainier Beach High School.

Kameriah Johnson’s winning “Doodle for Google” submission.

Redirecting funds for a bigger impact

What they’re saying:

Johnson says she requested that the money goes to a school where she felt the impact would be greater.

“It’s a private school in Seattle and we have a lot of funding,” Johnson said of Lakeside School. “I’m very thankful to go there and we have a lot of resources, and I just wanted to give it to a school who would use the resources better and for kids who look like me.”

When Johnson’s father notified the principal at Rainier Beach High School about the incoming donation, the reaction was immediate.

“The principal started crying and she was so, so thankful,” Johnson said.

Artwork rooted in identity and culture

The national competition challenged students to create artwork based on the theme, “My superpower is…” 

Johnson chose her heritage and her hair as the inspiration for the winning design, which earned her a $55,000 college scholarship.

The custom logo features illustrations representing Johnson, her mother, and her sister. The design highlights diverse hairstyles, incorporating braids, afro puffs, and cornrows.

“I am Black, I have a lot of pride in my culture and who I am,” Johnson said. “I always found power and strength in what makes us different, and specifically my people.”

Johnson noted that her artwork reflects a shift in cultural representation across generations.

“I grew up in a generation where I could look at the screen and I could read books and I could see people who look like me, but I know my mom didn’t so much,” Johnson said.

Artistry and community activism

The winning design has received widespread recognition and viral support across social media platforms, including Black Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

For Johnson, the project aligns with her broader dedication to community work and social change. Earlier this year, the teenager helped organize a student protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“With everything I do, it’s rooted in community, it’s rooted in love, and I’d say it’s also rooted in Christ because I am Christian,” Johnson said. “Finding ways where I can use my art to make social change, to make a difference, to help people—at the end of the day, if it doesn’t make an impact or make someone feel something, it’s all kind of pointless.”

Kameriah Johnson (FOX 13 Seattle)

Following her graduation and national contest win, Johnson is preparing to attend New York University in the fall.

You can find more of her artwork here.

MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE

2 injured after bear attack on Mt. Si

Stolen Kirkland dog returned to family, investigation continues

Seattle’s hottest day of the year comes with warnings

Seattle boosts security, cleans up notorious spots for World Cup

2 Boeing employees among 8 killed in B-52 bomber crash

10 years later: Japanese chain restaurant Benihana returns to Seattle

To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.

Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.

SEATTLE – Onshore flow returns for Tuesday, which will bring some morning clouds along with cooler afternoon temperatures. We will also see breezy winds at times, especially through the strait and the South Sound with gusts up to 35 mph.

Onshore flow returns for Tuesday, which will bring some morning clouds along with cooler afternoon temperatures.  (FOX 13 Seattle)

What’s next:

Highs Tuesday will be 15–20 degrees cooler compared to Monday, with high temperatures in the mid to low 70s. A few morning clouds will give way to mostly sunny skies.

Highs on Tuesday will be 15–20 degrees cooler compared to Monday.  (FOX 13 Seattle)

Advertisement

The average high temperature for this time of year is 71F, and we will be staying above that for the extended forecast. We aren’t looking at record highs in the next 7 days, but we will be warming up again Friday and into the weekend.

The average high temperature for this time of year is 71, and we will be staying above that for the extended forecast. 

Looking Ahead:

Sunshine and warm temperatures remain in the forecast through the extended outlook for western Washington. The summer solstice is Sunday, marking the official start of summer and it will also be the longest day of the year.

Sunshine and warm temperatures remain in the forecast through the extended outlook.  (FOX 13 Seattle)

Advertisement

MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE

Military plane crash sparks wildfire in Yakima County

Deadly Bellevue, WA motorcycle crash causes miles-long traffic backup

‘Buy Black Card’ aims to inject life into Black-owned businesses

Here’s where to watch World Cup games at all hours in Seattle

Your ultimate visitors guide to Seattle for the FIFA World Cup 2026

Oliver Tree dies: Singer, producer killed in helicopter crash

To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.

Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.

SEATTLE — Seattle has one FIFA World Cup match in the books, and officials say the city’s security and logistics plan is holding up as Seattle prepares for what could be its busiest game of the tournament.

“I’m excited to say things are going very smoothly at the moment,” said Ken Neafcy, operations section chief for the FIFA World Cup Seattle Unified Command. The command post is based at the Seattle Office of Emergency Management, a few blocks from Seattle Stadium.

The unified command is working with 55 agencies and about 110 personnel, overseeing logistics, planning, and coordination among fire, police, and other emergency response partners.

“So far, there have been no significant issues that have caused us to make major adjustments to our plans,” Neafcy said. “One of the things we’ll do over the next few days is look back at activity and determine whether there are strategic adjustments we need to make before Friday’s game between Team USA and Australia.”

RELATED | Fans celebrate Seattle’s World Cup debut at waterfront watch party

That match is expected to be the busiest of Seattle’s six World Cup games. Neafcy said the Mariners will also be playing at home Friday night, three cruise ships will be docked on the Seattle waterfront, and multiple Juneteenth celebrations are planned throughout the city. A large contingent of Australian fans is also expected.

The first World Cup match was largely uneventful from a public safety standpoint, with fans navigating street closures and entering the stadium without major problems. Neafcy said there were no significant security incidents, although authorities detected and intercepted a small number of unauthorized drones.

He said the FBI, Seattle Police Department and King County Sheriff’s Office used drone-detection technology around the stadium and Seattle Center. Authorities are enforcing temporary flight restrictions in host cities to protect airspace during the tournament.

Seattle learned four years ago that it would host World Cup matches. Planning among city, county, state, and federal agencies has been underway for the past two and a half years.

Thousands of fans converged on Lumen Field, temporarily renamed Seattle Stadium, for Monday’s match between Belgium and Egypt. Visitors encountered a visible law enforcement presence, including Seattle police officers stationed outside the stadium’s fan zone and along nearby streets, many serving as guides for visitors. Washington State Patrol troopers and Seattle Fire Department personnel were also deployed throughout the area.

The King County Sheriff’s Office monitored activity from the air, including patrol flights around the stadium. The agency is also using a second helicopter on loan from Spokane County. Officials monitored nearby waterways as part of the broader security footprint.

“There were additional security forces. You could definitely tell Seattle was prepared,” said fan John Diaz as he headed to Monday’s match. Diaz said he noticed the police presence on Sound Transit light rail and called it “the safest I’ve ever felt.”

ALSO SEE | Seattle shines as World Cup arrives after years of planning

Julius Sali, who traveled from South Africa, said he felt comfortable moving around the city.

“I was able to walk around at night from the bar. I did feel safe here,” Sali said.

“The resources have been put in place to ensure everyone has been checked and that they’re going to a safe space,” said Sanjay Murthy, who traveled from Canada with his family. “I would call that a necessary inconvenience.”

“I really appreciate the first responders, the firefighters and police officers trying to ensure our safety,” said Murthy’s wife, Vandana Parnandi. “That makes me feel safer.”

Other security measures include a ban on parking at the stadium and the temporary activation of CCTV cameras in the stadium district after Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson reversed an earlier policy that would have kept them offline because of privacy concerns. The change applies only during World Cup events and followed a review of security threats by law enforcement.

“We do have those cameras on and managed by SPD,” Neafcy said. “So far, everything has been very quiet.”

For the Murthy children, the focus was less on security and more on the experience.

“I think it’s a little bit of a precaution, but it’s just fun to be part of the whole vibe of everybody being around,” said 13-year-old Sahana Murthy.

Her younger brother, Vivek, a soccer player, had advice for the athletes taking the field.

“My advice: Calm down, move the ball around, don’t force it to the net and capitalize on your chances,” he said.

With one match complete and five remaining, Diaz said the atmosphere has been overwhelmingly positive.

“I see a lot of people enjoying themselves,” Diaz said. “It’s been great so far.”