Three students were awarded the Kim Jonasson Memorial Scholarship during the Evergreen School Division board meeting on June 16, 2026, in Gimli, Manitoba. Trustees recognized Ava Michaluk, Tanner Humniski, and Paisley Abuda as this year’s recipients of a scholarship that honours a speech-language pathologist who passed away in early 2026.
Trustee Amanda Mosher described the scholarship presentation as an emotional moment for everyone in the room. Kim Jonasson’s obituary noted that she was known for her compassion, commitment and excellence in her work as a speech-language pathologist, and that her genuine joy in helping children left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her. Jonasson, of Oak Bluff, Manitoba, died on January 26, 2026 at age 50.
The memorial scholarship is managed by the Westshore Community Foundation of Gimli. The foundation, incorporated in 1998, has grown to hold more than $7.5 million in assets supporting communities including Riverton, Gimli, Fraserwood, Winnipeg Beach, and Dunnottar. Residents who wish to contribute can direct donations to the Kim Jonasson Memorial Fund through the Westshore Community Foundation.
The scholarship presentation capped a year-end reflection on a successful 2025-2026 school year. Trustee Dianna Auer celebrated the division’s staff for tackling more than 600 projects across its eight schools. Superintendent Scott Hill noted the division also kept its mill rate lower than neighbouring school divisions while managing the shift of Grade 7 and 8 students into high school settings.
The Evergreen School Division serves about 1,400 students in Arborg, Gimli, Riverton, and Winnipeg Beach. Its largest school, Gimli High School, enrolled 296 students in 2021. The division’s vision, “Learning Today to Improve Tomorrow,” guides its work across all communities.
