Second-grader's artwork published in Highlights

Diganta Roy, a second-grader from Streamwood, has liked to draw ever since he was little. His favorite subjects are anything that interests him, such as animals and sea creatures. His favorite color is green.

And one of his drawings - titled "Deep Ocean" - is published in the March issue of Highlights for Children magazine. The drawing is featured in the "Your Own Pages" section.

Each year, readers send the magazine more than 35,000 submissions. The magazine showcases a representative sample from children all over the world, and Diganta is one of fewer than 100 kids whose art is published each year.

"We look for something that represents a child's best effort and is something that might inspire other kids to also be creative," said Hillary Bates, communications manager for Highlights for Children, in an e-mail.

Diganta, who attends Schaumburg Christian School, is the son of Sumit and Mallika Roy. He enjoys art, music, watching the "Power Rangers" and solving math problems, Highlights reported in a news release. He hopes to become an astronaut when he grows up.

Sumit Roy said his son was "surprised and very excited" to hear that Highlights had chosen his drawing for publication.

"It's a very exciting news to us, and also inspiration for my son to do more and more art works," he said.

Diganta shares his interest in drawing with his father, a self-taught artist. He is learning to work in different kinds of mediums, Sumit Roy said.

His parents appreciate his achievement, "but also reminded him that he has a long way to go," Sumit Roy said. "He has to work very hard if he wants to be successful in life."