Twenty-two years ago, Pastors Marcio and Tia Sierra dreamed of creating a school that would serve underprivileged Hispanic youth in Madison. Their dream began without a physical building, relying on materials gathered from garage sales and a faith in God to create something meaningful for their community.
Today, Lighthouse Christian School provides a tuition-free education to over 240 students, 92% of whom come from low-income households. This education extends far beyond the standard curriculum, offering rich programming in sports, music and the visual arts.
Lighthouse’s mural unveiling on August 6 celebrated the completion of a student-painted mural in the school’s art lab, one of the finishing touches to a larger facility expansion completed last year. For the Lighthouse community, this artwork represents not only creative expression, but the culmination of more than two decades spent nurturing student aspirations.
Designed and painted by art teacher Maria Amalia Wood and 16 middle school students, the mural honors the Hispanic heritage shared by more than 65% of the student body. Featuring culturally significant motifs like the Mexican heart alongside prominent colors from Latin culture, the piece brightens the classroom with themes of freedom, growth and transformation.
At the center of the vibrant yellow wall, the Spanglish phrase “Arte with Corazón” proudly captures the school’s multicultural, bilingual identity.
“It’s a lot more than just paint on a wall,” Pastor Marcio Sierra said. “It’s really the fulfillment of a promise, and hope for the future.”
An award ceremony followed the unveiling, where faculty recognized the student artists and Wood. A silent auction including artwork donated by photographer Catherine Zdeblick and several Lighthouse students raised money for the Lighthouse Scholarship Fund, which covers more than $200,000 of student academic expenses annually.
Lighthouse utilizes a “wrap-around” support model tailored to empower families. According to the Lighthouse 2025 Annual Report, their on-site Extended Hands Food Pantry provides resources for 26,000 households every year, while extensive after-school programming serves 91% of students, a crucial source of childcare for parents working hourly.
“We believe that with the love of God and with the support of people around you, you can be anything that you dream of being, and that’s how we teach our students today,” Pastor Tia Sierra said.
Sixth-grader Valery Vielma, who worked on the mural throughout the school year, saw the finished piece for the first time that evening.
“It feels so amazing to see it and see everyone’s hard work on this wall,” Vielma said. “Having those moments after school and just coming was so much fun.”
Vielma and her classmates credited Wood’s “kindness” and mentorship as a highlight of the project.
“She’s a great art teacher, one of the best,” Vielma said.
Vielma said Wood’s art lab became a welcoming space where students loved hanging out, even when the paintbrushes were down.
“Watching them who helped bring this vision to life was just as meaningful as designing,” Wood said. “I get to witness their creativity blossom, their craftsmanship deepen and their confidence grow with every project they create.”
For Wood, the collaborative process was just as meaningful as the finished project.
“It could never have come to life without the hands and hearts of these students. Watching them work side by side, encouraging one another and taking pride in every brush stroke, reminded me that when we work together in community, we create something far greater than any of us being alone,” Wood said.
“My hope is that anyone who walks into this art room feels welcomed,” Wood said. “That this space inspires creativity, sparks curiosity and reminds every student that they belong. I hope they leave believing that their ideas matter, their creativity has value and that together we can create something bigger than ourselves. Because that is the power of art. It can speak to us in a language that only the heart can understand.”
