San Diego Unified Student’s Artwork Selected for Cover of National Art Education Planner
Zamorano Fine Arts Academy kindergartner is youngest artist ever featured
Lily-Ann Mills, a kindergarten student at San Diego Unified’s Zamorano Fine Arts Academy, is the youngest artist to have her work featured on the front cover of the Davis Art Advocacy Planner. Her printmaking artwork was chosen from hundreds of submissions from around the country and will appear on 10,000 copies of the 2026-27 planner distributed to art educators nationwide. This marks the second time in three years that a Zamorano student has earned the cover placement.
The Davis Art Advocacy Planner is a free annual resource published by Davis Publications and distributed to K-12 art educators. Each year, the planner features student artwork on its cover through a national contest. Having artwork published on a national platform gives young students a sense of accomplishment and purpose in their creative work, and research has shown that public recognition of children’s art can support the development of self-esteem and creative confidence.
Art runs in Lily-Ann’s family. Both of her grandfathers are artists, and she loves creating art alongside them. Being featured on the planner cover makes her feel excited, nervous, and proud of herself.
[As a student at Zamorano] “you can do a lot of art so you can be proud of yourself,” said Lily-Ann.
Lily-Ann’s art teacher is Meera Ramanathan (Ms. R), San Diego Unified’s 2025 Elementary Teacher of the Year and the 2022 California Art Education Association Outstanding Elementary Visual Art Educator of the Year. Her program at Zamorano also holds CAEA Exemplary Visual Arts Program status, a state-level distinction recognizing outstanding visual arts programs in California schools.
“At our school, we value the artistic journey, the process of experimentation, learning from mistakes, and mastering new techniques, more than striving for a perfect final product,” said Ramanathan. “Art is a powerful outlet for students to explore their emotions, build confidence, and develop self-awareness.”
Zamorano Fine Arts Academy is a TK-5 visual arts and media focused school where students learn painting, drawing, printmaking, ceramics, photography by an award-winning faculty. It is one of eight Visual and Performing Arts Focus Schools in San Diego Unified that support the district’s goals and guardrails for student achievement.
Zamorano’s annual Celebration of Art will be held on Wednesday, April 22, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The community is invited to celebrate the talents and achievements of the school’s student artists.
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Lily-Ann Mills, a kindergarten student at San Diego Unified’s Zamorano Fine Arts Academy, holding her winning printmaking artwork, along with art teacher Meera Ramanathan.
San Diego Unified offers arts-focused schools at every level, from elementary through high school. Families interested in learning more about these programs or enrolling their child in an arts-focused school can visit the district’s Visual and Performing Arts Focus Schools page or contact the Neighborhood Schools and Enrollment Options office for enrollment information.
Article written by communications team member on behalf of San Diego Unified School District Strategic Communications and Information department.