On Thursday, May 7, 10 Boise State undergraduate students were honored at the Top Ten Scholars Award Ceremony. Four of the 10 honorees earned college credits in high school through the Boise State Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP).
The Top Ten Scholar Award is one of the highest academic honors within the university. To qualify, students must have a 3.8 grade point average and be nominated by their respective deans. The Boise State Alumni Association presents the awards.
The CEP conducted email interviews with 2026 honorees Ali Russell, Addison Hobson, and Maci Ann Mattravers. Hannya Adali Ornelas did not respond to email questions.
Ali Russell (AR)
CEP: “What does it mean to you to receive the Top Ten Scholar honor?”
AR: “Receiving the Top Ten Scholar honor is incredibly meaningful to me. It reflects not just academic achievement, but also the time, effort, and support system that helped me get here. I feel really grateful to represent both the College of Engineering and the College of Business (and Economics), and it’s a reminder of how impactful my time at Boise State has been.”
CEP: “Talk about the Concurrent Enrollment classes you took in high school. How did those credits help you get a head start on your college career?”
AR: “Concurrent Enrollment gave me a huge head start. I came into college much further ahead than I would have been otherwise, which gave me the flexibility to double major in civil engineering and business. It really opened up opportunities that I wouldn’t have had without those early credits.”
CEP: “What are your current plans for after completing your undergraduate degree?”
AR: “After graduation, I plan to continue working in structural engineering full time. I’ve also recently bought a house, so I’m excited to start this next chapter both professionally and personally.”
CEP: “Anything to add?”
AR: “I would definitely recommend the concurrent enrollment path to students…it’s such a valuable opportunity. Just be prepared… you might get asked how old you are a lot since you’ll be so far ahead!”
Addison Hobson (AH)
CEP: “What does it mean to you to receive the Top Ten Scholar honor?”
AH: “Being selected as a Top Ten Scholar is a wonderful privilege that comes from years of hard work and dedication. Looking at the work done by the other Top Ten Scholars as well as myself, I can easily say that this achievement can be made on many different paths. However, the main similarity I see between all of us is the effort to serve others and build communities both on campus and off. While a high GPA is impressive, I see outreach and service as not only equally important, but also as a better indicator of success in education.”
CEP: “Talk about the Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars (ISAS) program you took in high school. What did you learn in that class that has stuck with you since?”
AH: “I joined the Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars program my junior year of high school during COVID. The concurrent enrollment class discussed the field of aerospace engineering specifically in planetary exploration. ISAS not only taught me that teamwork is necessary to accomplish large-scale projects efficiently but that every role is important. As I look forward to my career in planetary science, I know the skills I built in the Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars will serve me well.”
CEP: “What are your current plans for after completing your undergraduate degree?”
AH: “I plan to attend graduate school with the intent to earn a doctorate in geophysics and work in planetary science using geophysics as a base. I would also like to continue working in STEM outreach to build a scientific community that is open and welcoming to anyone and everyone with interests in science.”
Maci Ann Mattravers (MM)
CEP: “What does it mean to you to receive the Top Ten Scholar honor?”
MM: “Receiving the Top Ten Scholar honor feels both validating and humbling. It represents years of consistent effort, but also the support systems that made that work possible—professors, mentors, and community. For me, it’s not just about academic achievement, but about what I chose to do with my education: engaging in research, community-based work, and spaces that challenge me to think critically about inequity. It feels like recognition not just of performance, but of purpose.”
CEP: “Talk about the Concurrent Enrollment classes you took in high school. How did those credits help you get a head start on your college career?”
MM: “Taking Concurrent Enrollment classes gave me both a practical and academic head start. On a practical level, it allowed me to enter college with credits already completed, which gave me more flexibility in my schedule. I am also graduating a year early because of that. Academically, it helped me adjust early to the expectations of college-level work. Things like time management, critical reading, and writing at a higher level. Because of that, I felt more prepared and confident going into my first year, and it made the transition into college smoother.”
CEP: “What are your current plans for after completing your undergraduate degree?”
MM: “After completing my undergraduate degree, I plan to pursue a master’s in public policy. I’m interested in focusing on immigration policy and how policy decisions shape the lived experiences of migrant communities. Through that program, I hope to build stronger analytical and research skills while staying connected to community-based work. Long term, I want to be in a position where I can help bridge the gap between policy and the people most affected by it, whether that’s through advocacy, research, or working within public institutions.”
Hannya Adali Ornelas
Get to know Ornelas with the Hannya Adali Ornelas Biography web page.
Read more about the honorees with the Top Ten Scholar Awards web page.