Alumni Spotlight: Alex Zorko '18
Tell us what you have been doing since graduating from Rabun Gap?
After graduating from Rabun Gap, I went to Hampden-Sydney College, where I graduated a semester early, majoring in Foreign Affairs with a minor in Leadership in the Public Interest. Since then, I have been working at Deloitte in Risk Advisory, while pursuing a Masters’ degree in International Relations at Harvard University.
What is something interesting about you that we wouldn't find on your resume?
A recently growing interest that is not on my resume but probably should be added eventually is my interest in the African continent. For a few years now, I have visited the African FinTech conference, which focuses on the tech and start-up ecosystem in Africa. It is a space, which is not only incredibly interesting to me, but also shows a promising future.
How did Rabun Gap help to prepare you or influence your future goals?
I think anybody who knew me in High School can attest that my focus was not necessarily on academics but rather on athletics, and the opportunities that it could provide me. Rabun Gap in many ways helped me recognize this hyperfocus, and later on, allowed me to translate it into my academic and professional development. I quit collegiate Tennis after my freshman year, which really forced me to shift my hyperfocus onto a different topic.
Do you have a favorite memory from your time at Rabun Gap?
There are so many good ones. On the academic side, I would have to say Dr. Miller’s government class, as that class, however hard it was for me at the time, really sparked my interest in politics.
On the athletic side, I don’t think any of us will forget some of the bus rides we had with the soccer team. We would always bring the biggest speaker, and turn it all the way up. Couple of times we had other teams ride with us and they were just not prepared for it. In retrospect, it sounds silly but I think those rides, especially the 4-hour one-way rides, really brought us closer. Also, credit to Coach Wright and Coach Ozu for having the patience with us…especially J-Money! He really had patience with us.
Is there a specific faculty member, dorm parent, or coach who had a particularly important impact on you?
There are so many people that I am grateful for, as without them I would not be where I am today. Roger Cox recruited me to come to Rabun Gap. Coach Ozu and Dr. Miller have been great role models to me, and I am grateful for their time and patience with me.
What advice do you have for current Rabun Gap students that you wish someone had told you during your time at school?
Take your time. You do not have to have everything figured out. You will grow with time and you will be just fine.
What would you like to see happen at Rabun Gap in the next 10 years?
Something I have heard a couple of times thrown around was the idea of city-specific alumni gatherings, which I think would be a nice add-on.
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School
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Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School is a private, coeducational day and boarding school for grades Pre-K through 12. Centrally located between Atlanta, GA, Greenville, SC, and Asheville, NC, we prepare young people for college, career, and a lifetime of leadership and service.
