Clement Smith spent over 50 years on carnival midways all over the Midwest. He worked with Jack Thompson Shows and Bill Hames Shows as well as helping his son, Steve, who owned Smith Amusements. In 1977, the Iowa Fair Association honored him with Showmen of the Year. He was president of the Midwest Showmen’s Association in 1980 and received the Showmen of the Year award from the Midwest Showmen’s Association in 1991.

 

In 1992, at the annual Midwest Showmen’s Association meeting, Steve Smith, president at the time, motioned to create a scholarship fund in remembrance of his father. Funds were donated by generous members at this meeting, hence the Clem Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund was established. The first recipients of the scholarship were Erin Sellner and Ann Marie Larson.

 

In 1993, at the annual Midwest Showmen’s Association meeting, the name was changed to the Midwest Showmen’s Clem Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund. Clem passed away on January 5, 1993,  right before this meeting.

 

In 1998, the Clem Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund was transferred to the newly formed Midwest Showmen’s Foundation. This non profit foundation’s tax-exempt status has helped expand fundraising. The Clem Smith Memorial Scholarships are open for application from the general public.

 

Scholarship application deadline is February 1st.