March is Youth Art Month and National Reading Month, and Thalia Elementary kicked things off with a creative bang with the annual “Pizza For A Purpose” program.
Art teacher Heather Piccoli found inspiration from the program in an unexpected place: the walls of California Pizza Kitchen. After seeing painted pizza boxes on display, she envisioned a project where students could use those same boxes as a canvas.
When she approached the restaurant in the Town Center area of Virginia Beach, staff there didn’t just provide the boxes — they became true partners, donating a box for every single student and pledging a 20 percent donation to the school from every purchase made by the Thalia community.
This wasn’t just about painting; it was about professional design. Piccoli challenged her students to:
- Select a favorite book and transform their pizza box into a 3D tribute to that story.
- Add a “Marketing Twist” by incorporating an advertisement for California Pizza Kitchen.
By merging these two goals, students stepped into the shoes of real-world marketing directors, learning how to balance artistic expression with brand promotion.
Student Kaitlyn Verbanic said, “It’s fun and creative, doing whatever book you’d like.”
Her mother, Allison Verbanic, said, “The best part is creating the box — watching them brainstorm and lay out and problem solve when issues arise. Spending that time with my daughter and seeing the book through her eyes is fantastic.”
Selected student works were showcased at the restaurant March 2-9, turning the restaurant into a Thalia art gallery.
Thanks to the incredible support of our families, staff, and friends during the fundraiser week, the effort raised $1,354.86 to purchase art supplies for the 2026-2027 school year, ensuring our young creators have everything they need to keep dreaming big!
