Leadership experience has paid off both personally and financially

for UD junior Michelle Stawicki, recipient of the 2009 John E. Riley Award.

She stood out from the other award finalists because of her service as executive board member for Distance 4 Dreams, Art Director for Flyer News, Summer Workshop Leader for the Program for Christian Leadership in 2008, along with other activities. She was nominated by junior Natalie Dudek because of her passion for community service.

Stawicki will be awarded $1,300 in the form of financial assistance

for winning the John E. Riley Award. Money isn't the only thing she's gotten out of taking on leadership positions.

"The biggest lesson I've learned is when you bring a group of people together with passion you can do anything," she said. "If you don't love what you do then it's work and you shouldn't do it."

Involved in more than 15 community, service and campus activities,

she has been able to do what she loves and develop herself

as a leader for the future. This character building is largely why she received the award, which is given annually to a UD junior who shows leadership in student organizations while maintaining education and service aspects at UD.

The John E. Riley Award is given in honor of Riley who served for 30 years at UD as director at the Counseling Center, vice president of Student Development and associate dean of Students in Student Development. This year marks the 24th year for this honor.

Other nominees included UD juniors Colin Gerker, Tracey Horan, Rebecca Marek and Caryl Nunez.