In September, WashU Votes leaders Amelia Letson ‘25 and Hannah Pignataro ‘26 received a $5,000 grant in honor of their campus leadership.
The grant came from the Student Union Leadership Award, which WashU Student Union gives annually in recognition and support of outstanding student leaders. Throughout their leadership, they have demonstrated creative problem solving and a commitment to diversity, initiative, and making a positive impact on campus.
Letson is currently acting as a co-chair of WashU Votes, a student-led initiative under the Gephardt Institute’s purview that promotes voter engagement and education for undergraduates at WashU. She has also served as the President of Washington University’s chapter of Planned Parenthood Generation Action, and got involved with both of these organizations as a first-year student.
“I had the same outlook for both of them: I knew I was very lucky to be a student at WashU, which has incredibly influence in the St. Louis region and Missouri,” said Letson. “I felt a responsibility to do something with the privilege. I’m really happy to have hopefully made a difference.”
Letson is also a John & Mary Jo Crosby Civic Scholar and a Mosbacher St. Louis Fellow.
Pignataro is also co-chair for WashU Votes, which she got involved with in her first semester at WashU. She is also a Class of 2026 Civic Scholar and works an on-campus job as a student lead at Sumers Recreation Center.
“I’m most proud of all the work WashU Votes has done this semester to engage as many volunteers as possible,” said Pignataro. “Whether it’s leading activities at general body meetings, registering new voters with other student groups, planning election-day programming, or hosting debate watch parties, one of our top priorities is making these spaces as fun and welcoming as possible. I think the high turnout we’ve had this semester reflects that.”
Pignataro described how that involvement on campus has complemented her growth, career skill-building, and professional network.
“I’ve also discovered a sense of belonging on WashU’s campus. I have found a great group of people who are passionate about the same things I am and have become my close friends,” she said. “Getting involved on-campus has also allowed me to get involved off-campus, and I think spending time outside of the ‘WashU bubble’ is so beneficial to understanding and appreciating the area that we’re situated in.”