The City of Abbotsford has announced Dr. Calvin Dyck and Jasmit Singh Phulka are recipients of 2024 civic awards.
Dyck has been recognized with the Order of Abbotsford and Phulka has received the Community Champion Achievement award.
Dyck has been honoured for his excellence in music, his contributions to cultural and community events and his dedication to teaching the next generation of musicians and instilling in them a love of music and culture.
An Abbotsford resident since 1997, Dyck began teaching music locally in 1994. He is the founding director of the Abbotsford Youth Orchestra and of the Songs, Strings and Steps concert event series, which promotes high-quality arts programming in Abbotsford and provides young local musicians with a performance platform alongside music professionals through a mentorship model.
Prior to arriving in Abbotsford, he received an Associate Diploma in Violin performance from The Royal Conservatory in 1982, and that same year went on to study at Biola University and the University of Southern California where, in 1991, he received his Doctor of Musical Arts in Violin Performance.
Dyck also supports many local organizations and works collaboratively with community groups on events to create positive experiences for people to connect, create and enjoy. Whenever called upon, he does not hesitate to contribute his musical genius to community productions and fundraisers, often bringing the gift of music to seniors’ homes, hospitals, parks, festivals, fairs, churches and community events.
His Symphony in the Park, Christmas Musical presentations and monthly concerts entertain thousands annually. He has also made significant investments in arts, culture, music and youth in Abbotsford and has built a legacy for future generations to enjoy.
Known as a skilful mentor, and a gifted and inspiring teacher with high expectations, he’s described as having an incredible ability to bring youth together and inspire them to greatness. Through his demonstrated excellence, prolific community involvement and volunteerism, and sustained commitment to cultural development in Abbotsford, Dyck has been referred to as a community treasure and positive role model for youth in the arts.
Phulka has been representing Canada and his hometown of Abbotsford on the world stage through his love of the sport of wrestling for more than 15 years. At the age of 16, he won a gold medal at his first-ever international tournament representing Team Canada at the Youth Commonwealth Championships in Singapore, where he also made Canadian history by becoming the first Canadian to win the Outstanding Youth Wrestler Award.
Since that very first international victory, Phulka has consistently been a top wrestler in Canada and worldwide, winning a bronze medal in the 2022 Commonwealth Games, among many other notable international accolades and accomplishments.
He has also been passionate about community service and has been a coach, philanthropist and volunteer. He is committed to supporting and uplifting vulnerable individuals, particularly youth, and through his annual toy drive has raised more than $100,000 in cash and toy donations in four years for Canuck Place and BC Children’s Hospital.
The Community Champion Achievement award is given to an Abbotsford individual, group, or organization who has achieved national or international recognition in a variety of areas, including, but not limited to: academia, sports, arts, and culture; or performed a noteworthy deed which is considered of benefit to the community. As a recipient of the Community Champion Achievement award, Phulka’s name will be engraved on a paving stone that will be placed along the city-wide Discovery Trail within Abbotsford’s Community Champions pavilion.
“On behalf of Abbotsford City Council, I am proud to recognize Dr. Calvin Dyck with the Order of Abbotsford and Jasmit Singh Phulka with the Community Champion Achievement award,” stated Ross Siemens, Mayor of Abbotsford. “Through their undeniable talents in music and in sport, along with their incredible community service and volunteerism, Calvin and Jasmit have made tremendous contributions to our city. Their impact is wide-reaching and is sure to leave a lasting legacy.”
The Order of Abbotsford awards ceremony and formal Community Champion Achievement presentations will take place on Nov. 1.
