Students at Sunnyside High School unveiled a mural last month that turns a classroom question about land and water into a permanent statement about environmental justice on Tucson's south side.

The mural, titled "Our Future is the Land and Water," represents the importance of water on native land and aims to raise awareness of environmental issues that have long affected Tucson's south side.

It serves as a reminder of the community's relationship with the land, a theme that carried through speeches at the May 5 unveiling and a video series documenting the mural's creation.

Muralist Celina Corral, known as La Loteria, guided students through the painting and design process. The project was supported by the University of Arizona College of Education and Youth of United New Generations, with funding from the office of Ward 1 Vice Mayor Lane Santa Cruz.

At the start of the process, students were asked what land and water meant to them, then worked together to translate each answer into a section of the mural.

Sunnyside High School Principal Stephanie Ponce told attendees she was grateful to the students, teachers and partner organizations for their work on the project.

"They're all amazing kids in their own right, they all come from different backgrounds and interests but when they come together there's something beautiful," she said.

A student named Marco who participated in the project called it a "life lesson" and expressed gratitude to Caren Zimmerman, a Sunnyside teacher who was the driving force of the project.

"I love it and hope you guys can, too," Marco said of the mural. "I saw it as a different experience for me because I was used to being removed from anything that had to do with creative ideas."

University of Arizona College of Education Dean Regina Deil-Amen congratulated students on their work, reminding attendees of the importance of creative arts in education.

"You are all an inspiration to me when I think about what you've produced," Deil-Amen said. "You identified a challenge, a problem, an issue in your community and you decided to research it and take action. This art is a representation of that action."

Ward 1 Community Outreach Coordinator Giselle Taylor said when students submitted their proposal roughly a year and a half ago, the team was drawn to the project's focus on process and community building.

"At its core, environmental justice means that everyone, regardless of income, race, or neighborhood has equal access to clean air, water and a healthy environment," Taylor said. "What this team has done is really powerful, they took something that can often feel very invisible and made it visible."

The mural will be on permanent display in the Sunnyside High School auditorium, serving as a symbol of the class of 2026's commitment to community and creativity.

Emma Diaz is a University of Arizona alum and freelance journalist based in Tucson.

Tucson Spotlight is a community-based newsroom that provides paid opportunities for students and rising journalists in Southern Arizona. Please consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible donation.