Brittany Schmitt Named Winner of ‘Leaders and Best’ Contest

Her Campus UMich and Heart Graffiti came together to find and highlight an exemplary Lady Wolverine who embodies the Leaders and the Best in everything that she does.  After receiving nominations and reading about the all the amazing candidates, Brittany Schmitt was selected for her dedication to Motley Crew, a student organization at Michigan that Brittany co-founded.
 

Motley Crew coordinates fun activities at area hospitals for patients and their families to give them a respite from sickness.  Motley Crew began setting up events at Mott’s Children’s Hospital and has since expanded to the Detroit Medical Center, the Veteran’s Hospital and the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living.  Brittany was nominated for the award by Julia Martorana for her dedication to the cause. “Not only does creating a completely new organization display strong self-motivation, leadership, and responsibility, but also the mission of the club that she created is philanthropic and generous in nature, making it an even more amazing undertaking,” wrote Julia.
 
The idea of Motley Crew developed at the end of Brittany’s freshman year and since then Brittany’s work has benefited those at the hospitals and given students at Michigan a chance to serve and gain leadership experience.  The cause even hits home with many of the members.  “We have many members who have had similar experiences when they were children or whose brothers and sisters have been hospitalized for long periods of time. They know the feeling of boredom it brings.”
 
Brittany balances her work with Motley Crew with her other involvement on campus, including involvement with her sorority, Dance Marathon at the University of Michigan, and the Big House Big Heart Race, all while excelling academically.  “When I’m really busy and stressed, Motley Crew never adds to that because it is a passion for me,” said Brittany.  “I love the responsibility I have within it, but I also love seeing our member’s enthusiasm to brainstorm and create an event. It is rewarding to be able to go to the hospital and see the patients and families really enjoy our events.”
 
Since its founding two and a half years ago, Motley Crew has grown from 40 to more than 200 members.  “The growth of the organization reassures me that when I graduate I have no doubt the club will continue to strive,” said Brittany.  Even though she is graduating this year, Brittany is leaving this campus and the community better than when she arrived a few years ago, something that makes her an exemplary representative of Leaders and the Best.  For these reasons, Her Campus UMich and Heart Graffiti are proud to recognize Brittany as the winner of the Leaders and Best Contest and honor her with a University of Michigan Quad Necklace from The École Collection. 

Heart Graffiti is a contemporary jewelry company with a unique line of collegiate jewelry for women, called The École Collection. Available at www.ecolecollection.com and select retailers, The Collection re-invents the class ring, giving female students and alumni a fashionable way to celebrate their achievement and school ties.