Recipients
2021 - Cooper Schade
Cooper displayed many high quality characteristics on and off the field that we know will serve him well through college and his career to follow.“I’m currently employed by IE here in Price, Utah. I’m lucky enough to start my career doing exactly what I’m going to school for. This fall I will attend USU Eastern where I am enrolled in the welding program. My future plans are to build a future here in Carbon County where I hope to raise a family. Receiving the CJ Smuin Scholarship has been a highlight in my life. It’s an honor I don’t take lightly and I hope to make everyone involved proud, especially CJ.”
– Cooper Schade
2022 - Rylan Hart
Rylan embodies many of the qualities that made CJ special. He plays the game with intensity while carrying himself with poise. We wish Rylan the best and know that these traits will translate well as he pursues his goals in life.
“I received the CJ Smuin Scholarship Award for the year 2022. This award meant so much more than any other award that I have received. This is an award that shows that you have many of the attributes that CJ did. To me, this award is the ultimate compliment. The Carbon High School program finished 2nd in State in 2021 and 3rd in 2022. In 2021 I was selected as the 3A Region 12 Most Valuable Player, and voted onto the 3A First Team All-State. In 2022 I was voted on to the 3A Second Team All-State. Currently, I am attending the University of Utah and pursuing a degree in electrical engineering.”
– Rylan Hart
2023 - Ridge Nelsen
Ridge Nelson was the primary catcher for the Dinos as well as having the ability to play any position on the diamond. Where Ridge showed exceptionally well was at the plate. His confidence was evident every time he stepped in the box and everyone in the park knew something good was about to happen. His quiet leadership and work ethic is something to be admired and will serve him well on any path he chooses to take. We wish Ridge nothing but the best as he heads to college and look forward to seeing what the future holds for him.
“This year I have the honor to be a co-recipient of the CJ Smuin Scholarship Award. Having grown up with CJ and being his friend and teammate, this award means a lot to me. CJ had so many positive attributes, I hope to share some of those. Winning this award is truly an unbelievable feeling. One that I cannot wait to share with future recipients of this scholarship. He showed what it takes to be a leader to all his teammates, and that helped us become better players throughout high school. Carbon ended up short of our goal in 2023, taking third place in the State tournament, we couldn’t have done anything without CJ in our hearts. I am going to attend Utah State University Eastern for the next two years, and look to further my education after that.”
– Ridge Nelson
2023 - Wyatt Falk
Wyatt Falk was the ace of the pitching staff this year and also hit third in the lineup. Wyatt had a great year all around, but where he really shined was on the mound. Each time he was on the bump, Carbon’s confidence was boosted and the opponent knew they were in for a long day. Wyatt showed extraordinary growth this year, as a pitcher, and as a person. Even when things were tough, or didn’t go his way at the plate, you would see him sprint to his position on defense. Exhibiting this unspoken leadership is uncommon, but it rubs off on everyone. We are excited for Wyatt’s future and look forward to seeing him back on the field at the next level once he returns from his mission.
“I was fortunate enough to be the co-recipient of the annual CJ Smuin Memorial Scholarship in 2023. This award was something that I had been so ambitious to compete for throughout my years in high school. In my opinion, it’s the most prestigious award given at Carbon High School. Growing up with CJ and having the honor of being his teammate for so many years, this award is even more special to me. I looked up to CJ as a leader and as a friend. In the future, I plan on serving an LDS mission. Once I return, I have signed at Salt Lake Community College to pursue my dreams of playing college baseball.”
– Wyatt Falk
2024 - Maizen Prichard
Maizen was among the best pitchers in the state throughout the season as the ace for the Dinos. In addition to that, he anchored the outfield and the batting order with consistent play. We are proud of Maizen’s performance on and off the field with a quiet, calm leadership that will certainly help him in his future career.
“I was fortunate enough to be chosen to be awarded with the 2024 CJ Smuin scholarship. In my eyes ever since the award was introduced my freshman year it was something that I was looking forward to competing for my senior year. Being friends with CJ along with playing on the same baseball team as him is what really put a lot of meaning into receiving this award. Winning this award is definitely the most exciting award I have received while playing baseball at Carbon High School. In my future I plan to enroll in the electrical apprenticeship at USUE here in Price and look to further in the electrical field and get my journeyman license.”
– Maizen Prichard
2024 - Madi Orth
Madi Orth is the inaugural recipient of the CJ Smuin Memorial Foundation Female Athlete Scholarship. Athletes from each sport at Carbon High were nominated by their coaches to apply for the award. It was a very difficult decision as all of the applicants were worthy. Madi’s outstanding performance in the classroom and All-State Honors in multiple sports shows the type of dedication and work ethic she has. We are excited to see Madi continue to compete at the next level in the years to come.
“This year I was honored to receive the first Women’s CJ Smuin Memorial Scholarship award. I personally think this is the most honorable award that someone can receive, and being the recipient of it is something I am so grateful for. CJ’s story has always been so inspiring to me, and I look up to his example in so many ways. He has had such a great impact on so many lives. It is such a privilege to be a part of this scholarship, amongst so many other incredible athletes. In the fall, I plan on attending Snow College to play volleyball. After that I am hoping to continue my schooling at a 4 year university.”
– Madi Orth