THE SMITTY (CHRISTOPHER SMITH) SCHOLARSHIP

The Smitty (Christopher Smith) Scholarship is offered annually to a graduating senior of Kettering Fairmont High School. The award is made in memory of Christopher Stephen Smith, a 2001 graduate who died unexpectedly in 2008 from complications related to injuries sustained while serving in the Army in Afghanistan. The scholarship is designed to award an individual who is a member of the Fairmont Baseball team and demonstrates a strong team spirit.

The Smitty "Christopher Smith" Scholarship Recipients:

• Michael Green - 2009

The Smitty (Christopher Smith) Scholarship Details and Application

About Smitty (Christopher Smith)

Smitty began his baseball career as a catcher for his t-ball team at the age
of five. At that time, he also began BMX racing for the first time and won the State Championship for his age group. At the age of six he decided he wanted to hunt with his Dad but was told he has to pass the Hunter Safety Course first. Even though his reading skills were not the greatest at the time (and someone had to read the test to him) Smitty passed the test with flying colors, even out-scoring his Dad! Throughout his years as a Firebird, he grew to be quite an outstanding pitcher and left fielder. During Christmas break of his junior year, he was awarded the Roberto Clemente All Stars Most Valuable Player award in Florida and was Second Team WOL at the close of the Firebird season. His senior year he was First Team WOL.

SGT. Smith (Smitty) joined the Army in 2004 and became a member of the 10th Mountain Division stationed at Fort Drum, New York. In February 2006 he proudly deployed to Afghanistan as a forward observer. In December 2006 while in Afghanistan, he suffered severe spinal injuries and had to be medically evacuated. Smitty wanted to stay in Afghanistan and continue the fight he truly believed in, but his body and the orders of his superiors did not allow it. In March 2008, Smitty was medically retired and honorably discharged from the Army. His Purple Heart is pending.

In 2008 Smitty was accepted at Wright State University where he planned to pursue a degree in structural engineering. He passed away unexpectedly on August 28, 2008 from complications related to the injuries he sustained while fighting in Afghanistan.

Smitty applied the teamwork he learned in baseball to achieve success both on and off the field. While his parents were always proud of his accomplishments – his ten point trophy buck, his football awards, baseball awards, etc. it was the person he had become that brought the most joy to their lives. He was a kind-hearted young man that never met a stranger. Smitty enjoyed making people laugh, protecting our country, hunting, fishing and enjoying the outdoors.