Financial Award Donors Recognized at 33rd Annual Donor Dinner

Last year, donors in Chilliwack gave over half a million dollars to support graduating students in the Chilliwack School District. On March 4th, students, staff, and donors gathered at Imagine High to celebrate the impact of those gifts at the 33rd Annual Donor Dinner.  

In June 2025, nearly 300 students received awards through the District’s Financial Awards Program. The contributions came from 115 community donors including service organizations, local businesses, sports clubs, Indigenous communities, Parent Advisory Committees and individual donors. 

During the dinner, Superintendent Rohan Arul-pragasam spoke in honour of retired Principal and Kiwanian, Peter Brown. Brown faithfully attended 32 donor dinners as an educator and a donor. He passed away in the summer of 2025.  

“Peter believed in students. He believed in service. And he believed in showing up. So many students in Chilliwack were shaped by his leadership and his kindness. Tonight, in many ways, we continue that legacy of service and generosity that he embodied so well,” said Arul-pragasam. 

Students from the Professional Cook 1 Dual-Credit Program worked alongside Imagine High Chef Tim Bedford and Chef Journeyman Kevin Hordichuck to serve a six-course meal. This was the students’ first major event.

The evening also included performances by students from Imagine High Theatre Company. The group is preparing for their production of The Sound of Music which opens March 10th. 

For many donors and community members, it was their first time visiting Imagine High. 

“It meant a lot for our students to be able to host the event at Imagine High,” said Imagine High Principal, Brooke Haller. “Student volunteers from across all the high schools in the district came together to support the event, and it was wonderful to see students from every school contributing their time and energy to make it a success.” 

The District recognized new financial awards and donors for the 2025/2026 school year: On Deck Marketing, Neil and Barbie Wood, Dan Coulter Memorial Award, Professional Cook 1 - Imagine High, Nicholas Trasky Memorial Award, Keith Carmichael Culinary Arts Memorial Award, Meet the Challenge Award, and Chilliwack Community Dry Grad. 

Arul-pragasam closed the evening by reminding donors of the profound difference their contributions make to students and families. 

“As Superintendent, I have the privilege of seeing the impact of your contributions. I hear from students who say a scholarship brought relief to their families and allowed them to focus more fully on their next steps. And I see pride and confidence in their faces at commencement, knowing their community invested in their future,” said Arul-pragasam. 

“Whether you represent a business, a service club, a community organization, or you are an individual making a personal contribution, please accept our sincere gratitude. Your kindness creates momentum. One act of generosity inspires another. One opportunity given to a student can change the trajectory of a life.” 

More information

Financial awards: https://sd33.bc.ca/financial-awards.

Imagine High: https://imagine.sd33.bc.ca.

Professional Cook 1 Dual-Credit Program: Professional Cook 1 Dual-Credit Program | careereducation.sd33.bc.ca.