Today was the last day of school before summer break for students at Ogden Junior Public School, and prior to handing out achievement awards to deserving students, a very special ceremony took place.

Attended by special guests TTC Chair Adam Giambrone, and Trinity-Spadina MP Olivia Chow, talented and only slightly camera-shy students took to the microphone (under the flashes of photographers and the close attention of CityTV and Global video news crews). Principal Madelaine Allan and Vice Principal Rob Hochberg, along with the other teachers and students, looked on with pride.

Under the guidance of grade 4/5 teacher Mark Shouldice and librarian Jennifer Nelson (and with a little help from New York-based graphic designer Joe Shouldice) students painted and assembled smaller component pieces to form a large mural in the image of the Canadian Light Rail Vehicle - the iconic TTC streetcar.

Both Chow and Giambrone thanked the students for the precious gift, and spoke briefly about the ongoing importance of public transit, and of the role that art plays in the community.

The lovely black and white, collage-like mural, which measures approximately 8x10-feet in dimensions, is scheduled to be displayed to the public in all its glory at Spadina station in September. The inclusion of new works of art in TTC subway stations is an ongoing effort, and it's both endearing and encouraging to see the works of young transit riders included in the plans.