Scholarship fund uplifts family after tragedy, aids students pursuing medical careers

Fund was created to honor medical professionals, in memory of 10-month-old

The tragedy that took the life of 10-month-old Steven Ryker Gerrtt Smith was a painful experience for his loved ones. What came out of the sadness, however, was a scholarship for those studying to save the lives of others.

For Geena Day, the Steven Ryker Gerrtt Smith Scholarship has helped keep her grandson’s memory alive and create positivity in his name. He died in September 2016 after being found unresponsive in a koi pond and could not be revived.

“Shortly after Steven passed away, they were looking for ways to do something in honor of the medical professionals who fought so hard to save his life,” Day said. “Creating a scholarship in his memory, to honor them, felt like the perfect way to bring it full circle.”

The scholarship helps graduating high school seniors who are pursuing careers in medical fields. The $3,000 annual award goes to a student from Yuba, Sutter or Butte County. The application asks applicants to write about the importance of empathy and compassion in the medical field, particularly in times of crisis.

Although only one scholarship is awarded, Day encouraged current and future applicants to continue pursuing their dreams.

“Continue to work hard A child smiles at his catch during the fishing game at the Yuba-sutter Fair at the Yuba-sutter Fairgrounds in Yuba City on Sunday.

Steven Ryker Gerrtt Smith to reach their goals and to remember that kindness really does matter,” she said.

An annual fundraiser in Steven’s memory and for the scholarship will be held at a softball tournament where raffle tickets will be sold. This event take place during the last weekend of October at the Blackburn Talley Softball Complex in Yuba City.

The scholarship’s inaugural (2017) recipient, Annie Christopherson of Marysville High School, is attending Simpson University, majoring in prenursing. This year’s recipient from Gridley High School will be attending Chico State in the fall, also majoring in pre-nursing.

The scholarship aids students but has also served as a healing process for the family.

“It has been very uplifting to receive applications from students who are beginning their journeys in life, with such admirable goals,” Day said. “This scholarship has been a blessing, not only to students just beginning their college education, but to our family as well.”

Steven would have turned 3 years old Oct. 24 this year.

“Steven was a “happy boy, his smile radiated and his laugh echoed everywhere he went. His personality was angelic,” Day said.

Day said she doesn’t wish for the person responsible for Steven’s death to fail.

“My only hope is that something good will come from this outcome and that her life will be steered in a direction toward helping others and making a positive difference in this world,” she said.

The Olivehurst woman who was babysitting Steven when he fell into the pond was charged in connection with his death and was sentenced in May to six months in county jail and five years probation.

Eva “Cheyenne” London, 20, pleaded no contest to child endangerment in March, leading to the dismissal of an involuntary manslaughter charge. How to donate

Raffle donations play an important part in fundraising efforts. Donations can be coordinated by emailing: stevensmithscholarship@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in donating to the scholarship fund, can directly send donations to the followingn account: River Valley Community Bank (P.O. Box 3689, Yuba City, CA, 95992 *Steven’s Gift Memorial Fund* Account # 201018266).