Zack Withers, '17

Zack Withers, ’17, graduated from The University of Alabama in 2021 with a BS in computer science and mathematics. He worked in financial technology in Denver’s Tech Center for a year and a half before switching over to fully remote work in cybersecurity. While he still lives just south of Denver, Zack is currently a full stack software engineering team lead for a cybersecurity firm based in Seattle.

“ESA prepared me for the much tougher college courses and lifestyle,” Zack says. “Classes felt easy, and I felt like I had an understanding of the importance of going to class and how to manage my free time. I felt like I was prepared to be an adult way earlier than some of my other friends were.”

Zack’s favorite ESA class was AP Physics: Electricity & Magnetism, which he took senior year and felt like it was an iconic ESA experience. “Some of the brightest minds in a small, seven-person class, my favorite teacher, an incredibly interesting and complex subject, and it was the first year the school offered the course,” Zack explains. “We all, students and teacher, worked together to gather an understanding of the subject and to push each other to do better. It never felt like a class, it was always just a fun place of learning.”

Zack started his ESA journey in 2004 as one of the first students in the new ESA Lower School. He says he’ll always remember fifth grade with Ms. Deb. One of his favorite teachers, Zack always felt that she put his education above anything else. “We always had such fun projects and class topics, and class felt like it ended too early,” he says. “She worked with me to make my education enjoyable.”

Zack’s advice for future ESA graduates: “Don’t be afraid to reach outside of your comfort zone. ESA gave me all the tools I needed to be successful in life. But you still need to put those to good use, establish great connections, come up with new and interesting ideas, and change the world. Never be afraid to be authentically you. ESA and all of the teachers, staff, family and friends put you in a position to be yourself and succeed. Don’t cut yourself short by trying to conform to anyone else’s ideals.”

Thanks, Zack!