Salmo Secondary School has been given $600,000 in honour of the legacy of alumni Godfrey and Sheila McDonald.
The donation was made by the McDonald family and is expected to create what School District No. 8 calls “lasting opportunities for current and future students”.
The money will be invested to generate about $30,000 annually, support two $10,000 scholarships and a $10,000 annual transfer to a dedicated fund for student-focused and student-led initiatives at the school.
“Salmo Secondary School values community and excellence. This donation is an incredible way to bring both those things together, and an amazing story of giving back and acknowledging your roots,” said Principal Jon Francis in a news release.
“These funds will allow students to truly reach their future potential and will change lives. We are incredibly grateful to the McDonald family for their generous donation and for believing in our students and community.”
Godfrey and Sheila McDonald both attended Salmo High School in the 1950s. They met there and began a life partnership that spanned nearly seven decades.
School District No. 8 said their shared experiences in Salmo helped shape their values and success, inspiring the family’s decision to give back in a meaningful way.
The McDonald family created the scholarship fund to honour both Godfrey’s academic achievements and the couple’s lifelong appreciation for the role Salmo Secondary played in their lives.
Godfrey McDonald grew up on a farm near Salmo. After graduating from Salmo Secondary, he received a scholarship to attend the University of British Columbia. From there, he worked at the Trail smelter and began a global career in metallurgy that took him across Canada and the world.
“We are proud to support Salmo students in honour of our parents. High school shaped who they became, and they always valued their education and their community,” said Dean McDonald on behalf of the family.
“The scholarship my father received when he graduated from Salmo High School gave him a chance to pursue his studies and provided him a life-changing opportunity. Our family’s hope is that these scholarships and the student fund also promote student success after graduation.”
Superintendent Trish Smillie said the story behind Godfrey and Sheila McDonald are “powerful examples of what happens when a school community supports its young people”.
“This donation will have a lasting impact, not only by supporting students financially, but by reinforcing the message that their school and their community believe in them and are invested in their success and well-being,” Smillie said.
Salmo Secondary School serves about 150 students in grades 7 to 12 and is recognized for its strong sense of community, student leadership opportunities, athletics, outdoor education and commitment to inclusive learning.
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