A new mural is bringing life, color, and school spirit to the gym at Heritage High School, thanks to a donation from J.Crew in partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org. Painted by local artist and Lynchburg City Schools (LCS) alumna Christina Davis, the piece features representations of Heritage High student-athletes, stylized in the school’s signature vivid orange and blue.
“The gym is the heart of athletics here at Heritage. It’s where teams practice, students take physical education classes, and the student body gathers for pep rallies and events,” said Heritage High Principal Tim Beatty. “This new mural will bring a sense of school pride to the gym. It will remind students that they’re part of a legacy of athletic achievement.”
Funds for the murals came from a $20,000 donation from J.Crew through AdoptAClassroom.org, to be shared between Heritage elementary and high schools. Each school received $7,500 to fund campus beautification projects. The two schools’ arts teachers also received $500 each to purchase the tools and materials they needed for their classrooms, from art supplies to costumes for theatre productions to sheet music.
“We were so excited to partner with Heritage Elementary through AdoptAClassroom.org to fund these beautiful and imaginative murals by local artist Christina Davis. While J.Crew has associates all over the globe, Lynchburg is home for over 800 of our employees, and it's a joy for us to give back at this local level,” said J.Crew representative Rachel Webb.
In December, Davis finished two murals at Heritage Elementary, which reflect the school’s culture through visual depictions of their motto, culture, and mascot, the Little Pioneer. This fall, she put the finishing touches on Heritage High’s mural, which focuses on the school’s exceptional record of success across a wide range of sports.
“Both AdoptAClassroom.org and J.Crew are committed to fostering environments where every student can learn and thrive. Our hope is that these murals become part of the fabric of their school communities, inspiring students to succeed in the classroom, on the playing field, and beyond,” said Kat Atchley, Vice President of Corporate Partnerships at AdoptAClassroom.org.
The high school mural features portrayals of student-athletes in motion, with track and field, wrestling, volleyball, and basketball prominently featured. Davis used photos of real Heritage High student-athletes and alumni as references.
“My vision was to celebrate the Pioneer community by drawing inspiration from real-life students here at Heritage High. It’s a reflection of the fact that every student who passes through this gym becomes a part of the school’s living, breathing legacy,” Davis said.
The Pioneers are a formidable force, especially when it comes to track, football, and wrestling. The track and field program has racked up 20 state championship wins between the boys and girls indoor and outdoor teams since 1991. The football program is a regional powerhouse, emerging as state runners-up in 2012, 2017, and 2022 and winning the state championship in 2018. The wrestling program has made a name for itself in recent years, taking home the regional championships in 2022 and 2023.
“A win for one of our sports teams is a win for the whole school. Hearing about these successes makes kids proud to go here. When kids put on a shirt with the Pioneer on it, it means something to them,” said Heritage High Athletic Director Brad Bradley.
Bradley thinks the mural will help ignite school spirit in the student body. When students see visual representations of their school’s successes on the walls, they’ll be reminded of the Pioneers’ history of excellence.
They’ll also be inspired to look toward the future. The mural features girls wrestling, which became an eligible sport under the Virginia High School League this school year. Heritage High girls wrestling team members will see themselves represented on their school’s walls as they kick off their first year as an official school sport.
“When you see the artwork on these walls, you understand that these students are special, and the school cares about them,” Davis said. “When our sports teams win, everyone wins.”
