Smail scholarship presented to Ava Lenz, Paul Monitzer
Recent high school graduates and former Lewes Public Library employees Ava Lenz and Paul Monitzer were awarded the library’s Christopher J. Smail Memorial Scholarship in a ceremony held Aug. 2. Emily Ellinger, Lewes library teen services coordinator, presented both recipients with the award.
Lenz graduated from Cape Henlopen High School, earning a National Honor Society Award and a President’s Award for Educational Excellence. During her high school career, she served as NHS president and NHS art president, and was active in the Gloria Steinem Feminism Club, Debate Club and Book Club. Lenz is attending American University this fall, spending her freshman year doing a study abroad program in Madrid, Spain.
Monitzer graduated from Sussex Academy, where as a member of the World Language Honor Society, he enjoyed preparing food from other countries to share with classmates. He is a regular blood donor and enjoys boxing, bike riding and cooking. Monitzer received a University of Delaware Presidential Scholarship to pursue civil engineering. He deferred college for a year to enlist in the Delaware National Guard, where he is currently completing basic training and a 22-week welding specialty program.
Lenz joined the Lewes Public Library in 2018 as one of its first middle school volunteer youth ambassadors. She stood out as an exemplary volunteer and soon became a paid teen page employee. She independently led and organized several library programs and events, including the Teen Advisory Board, Teen Craft Fair and Teen Volunteer Program. Monitzer joined the library as a National Junior Honor Society volunteer and was hired in 2020 as a page. In addition to working at the front desk, his duties included managing the library’s community events and employment displays.
“Paul was a real standout for his competence, maturity and reliability. He was always willing to assist with any task and not once missed a shift. You just don’t meet many teenagers like that,” said Ellinger. “And Ava made a huge impact on the library’s teen department; it grew into something incredible under her leadership. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to mentor both of these talented young adults and hope their time at the library provides positive influence for their future pursuits.”
The Christopher J. Smail Memorial Scholarship is a one-time, $1,000 grant designed to encourage higher education study by helping to defray college expenses. Smail worked at the library for many years as a page, and the scholarship was renamed in his honor after his passing in November 2011.
The Lewes Public Library anticipates the needs of the community, and adapts, creates and supports classes and programs for all ages that encourage a love of reading, exploration and discovery. It provides access for a wide variety of educational, informational and recreational materials to all members of the community through traditional resources and emerging technologies. For more information, visit lewes.lib.de.us.
