2024

Tryg Aanenson

Hometown:Freeman, SD
High School Name:Freeman High School
Major(s)/Minor(s): Political Science and Economics majors, Data Science minor

High School Accomplishments:

  • Student Government: 4-Year Class President
  • Varsity Sports Captain

SMU Accomplishments:

  • Mock Trial President
  • Student Representative to the Board of Trustees
  • Robert Mayer Undergraduate Research Fellow
  • Alpha Kappa Psi Vice President of Alumni Relations
  • "Data Science for Social Good" Undergraduate Research Program
  • Admissions Ambassador

What do you like most about being a Hunt Scholar?

I'm excited to be a part of such a vibrant community of like-minded learners. Having the opportunity to learn from their experiences and help them learn from mine makes for a fascinating future.

Alex Alarcon

Hometown: Las Vegas, NV
High School Name: Faith Lutheran High School
Major(s)/Minor(s): Political Science major, Business and Philosophy minors

High School Accomplishments:

  • Student Body President
  • Red Cross Club President
  • Model United Nations Outstanding Delegate 2018-2019

What do you like most about being a Hunt Scholar?

I'm mostly excited to get to work and bond with like-minded leaders as we inspire each other to grow and leave positive changes to the SMU community.

Maggie Asare

Hometown: The Woodlands, TX
High School Name: The Woodlands College Park High School
Major(s)/Minor(s): Computer Engineering major, Business minor

High School Accomplishments:

  • President of the CavBots FIRST Robostics Team
  • State Science Fair
  • National Honor Society

SMU Accomplishments:

  • University Honors Program

What do you like most about being a Hunt Scholar?

Learning to expand my leadership skills and getting to interact with other driven people inspires me.

Noah Barnard

Hometown: Irving, TX
High School Name: Jubilee Brownsville High School
Major(s)/Minor(s): Computer Science major, Songwriting minor

High School Accomplishments:

  • Student Council Vice President
  • Gates Scholar
  • Character Ambassador

SMU Accomplishments:

  • Hilltop Scholars Program
  • Rotunda Scholars Program

What do you like most about being a Hunt Scholar?

I am excited to grow and learn alongside my fellow Hunt Scholars. This is a bright community full of opportunities, and I am ready to work together to make a difference.

Lauren Gardner

Hometown: Plano, TX
High School Name: Lovejoy High School
Major(s)/Minor(s): English major

High School Accomplishments:

  • Published author
  • Founded and raised money for a non-profit organization

SMU Accomplishments:

  • Hilltop Scholars Program

What do you like most about being a Hunt Scholar?

I am most excited about taking advantage of the opportunities afforded to me through the program.

Rhett Goldman

Hometown: Carthage, TX
High School Name: Carthage High School
Major(s)/Minor(s): Theatre and Film majors

High School Accomplishments:

  • 4-Year Class President
  • Jumbotron/Tricaster Operator and Student Director
  • Co-Chair & Social Media Coordinator for First Annual Main Street Film Festival

SMU Accomplishments:

  • Meadows Scholar
  • Regina Taylor's The Black Album Mixtape Youth Activism Award
  • Best Independent Filmmaker/Audience Favorite at the Main Street Film Festival
  • Lou Jean Singleton Award for Service and Leadership
  • Mortar Board Honor Society

What do you like most about being a Hunt Scholar?

What excites me most about being a Hunt scholar is the opportunity to collaborate with likeminded leaders that have different life experiences than me.

Averyl Hartje

Hometown: Portland, OR
High School Name: Wilsonville High School
Major(s)/Minor(s): Political Science and Theatre (acting specialization) majors, Public Policy & International Affairs minor

High School Accomplishments:

  • 4-Year Student Council President
  • 3-Year Drama Club Executive Board
  • 2-Year Choir Executive Board

SMU Accomplishments:

  • Student Representative to the Board of Trustees, Student Affairs Committee (23-24)
  • Meadows Scholar
  • Highland Capital Management Tower Scholar
  • Mock Trial A-Team Witness
  • Head Usher of Tate Lecture Series Committee on Student Foundation
  • Student Senate Organizations Committee Chair, Meadows Senator
  • SMU Abroad Lead Peer Advisor
  • SMU Student Theatre Actor
  • Member of Alpha Chi Omega, Iota Sigma Chapter

What do you like most about being a Hunt Scholar?

My favorite part of being a Hunt Scholar is connecting with like-minded people who push me to be my best!

Andre Ketter

Hometown: McKinney, TX
High School Name: Independence High School
Major(s)/Minor(s): Biological Sciences major

High School Accomplishments:

  • Superintendent Student Advisory Council Representative
  • Eagle Scout
  • Swim Team Captain

SMU Accomplishments:

  • Hilltop Scholar

What do you like most about being a Hunt Scholar?

Having the opportunity to grow as a leader and receive mentoring.

Mason Moreno

Hometown: Tampa, FL
High School Name: Berkeley Preparatory School
Major(s)/Minor(s): Finance and Markets & Culture majors

High School Accomplishments:

  • Founder of Buen Provecho Non-Profit Organization
  • Head Berkeley Academy Instructor

SMU Accomplishments:

  • Cox Business Direct

What do you like most about being a Hunt Scholar?

I’m excited to be involved in such an amazing community with others that share my passion for leadership.

Lucy Morris

Hometown: Tampa, FL
High School Name: H B Plant High School
Major(s)/Minor(s): Biology major, Psychology minor

High School Accomplishments:

  • Founder of the Be the Light Event
  • Girl Scout Gold Award
  • Varsity Swim Captain

SMU Accomplishments:

  • Student Foundation Family Weekend University Partner Coordinator
  • Redefining Mental Illness Graphic Design Chair
  • Chi Omega Sorority Member
  • University Honors Program

What do you like most about being a Hunt Scholar?

I am excited to be surrounded by a close community of peers who are dedicated to leadership as well as have a genuine desire to get involved in campus life. Access to unique opportunities such as the Tate Lecture Series will allow me to grow as a leader and gain the experience of a lifetime.

Christian Taylor

Hometown: Leawood, KS
High School Name: Rockhurst High School
Major(s)/Minor(s): Business Management major

High School Accomplishments:

  • Founder and President of All Hands In KC
  • President of the FBLA and Model UN Clubs
  • Tennis Team Co-Captain

What do you like most about being a Hunt Scholar?

I am excited for all of the incredible opportunities that is allotted to us by being in this program. I'm looking forward to getting close to a small group of incoming Hunt scholars, and using our talents and drive to do great things within SMU and the city of Dallas. I'm also very excited to be able to attend the different events and speakers through this program. Moreover, I'm so excited about everything in this program! I am so grateful for this opportunity and for the Hunt family for having a scholarship like this.

Griffin Vail

Hometown: Homewood, AL
High School Name: Homewood High School
Major(s)/Minor(s): Music and Economics majors, Finance minor

High School Accomplishments:

  • SGA Executive Vice President
  • Show Choir Dance Captain
  • Varsity Basketball Team Captain

SMU Accomplishments:

  • Hilltop Scholar

What do you like most about being a Hunt Scholar?

The one thing that excites me the most if being a Hunt Scholar, is being around 20 other like-minded leaders and those who have a love for service. This will act as a catalyst for change as we are all wanting one goal: to make SMU, our organizations, and the world a better place than when we entered it.

Julie Zahrndt

Hometown: Waxahachie, TX
High School Name: Red Oak High School
Major(s)/Minor(s): Music Education and Music Performance majors

High School Accomplishments:

  • TMEA All-State Musician
  • Valedictorian
  • National Honor Society President

SMU Accomplishments:

  • Hilltop Scholar
  • Mustang Band
  • Meadows Scholar

What do you like most about being a Hunt Scholar?

I am so excited to be able to be a part of a community that inspires excellence in everyone they interact with. This is an amazing opportunity to be around a diverse group of like-minded people who all understand the commitment and drive it takes to be successful.