This winter break, Brenton Wang, a Grade 11 student at Oakville Trafalgar High School in Oakville, and his team of 12 student volunteers from high schools such as Abbey Park, Iroquois Ridge, Appleby, White Oak, Toronto International Academy (TIA) and others created a mural titled "Astronauts and Roses" at TIA art lab. These students worked hard and spent a lot of time creating this piece of art. 

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The core team members included Julianna Zhan, Jessica Zhou, and Clara Xian (from Iroquois Ridge High School), Shuyan Chen (Abbey Park High School), Amanda Wong (Appleby College), Helen He (Clarkson Secondary School), and students from Toronto International Academy: Xinjin Zeng, Khoa Nguyen, Ngoc Phan, and Vy Tran. The contribution of these students was an indispensable part of the project's success.

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The acrylic mural was painted on three walls. It depicts three astronauts embarking on a journey to the moon against a vivid backdrop of nebulae. One of them holds his rose out in a peace offering to the unknown. The central focus of the mural is a cratered, glowing moon, created from a clock. When the soft yellow light is turned on, it becomes mysterious and inviting.

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On January 5, Mr. Charles and Ms. Dana, the directors of Toronto International Academy, held a celebratory toasting ceremony for the 13 high school student volunteers who participated in the creation of the mural. Volunteer certificates and certificates of appreciation were presented, and the ceremony concluded with Principal Martin Melkoumian switching on the moon to standing applause. The mural not only beautifies the school environment, but also demonstrates the youth's love of art and community. Brenton Wang and his team, with their talent and hard work, have created an amazing work of art as a gift to the entire school community.