Featured Alumni: Omar and Ava Zavala
“I became friends with people from all different walks of life. Different cultures, languages, religions...I had friends that didn’t have the ‘typical’ parents or life like I had. It taught me to be more open-minded.”
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School is truly a family affair for the Zavalas. Their legacy at the School represents three generations.
Omar ‘99 and Ava ‘01 Zavala met on Rabun Gap’s campus while they were both students here. Omar, a boarding student from Mexico, first laid eyes on his future wife walking up the hill to Hodgson Hall. The duo had study hall together and started dating in December 1998. The rest is history - they married in 2003.
Today, after a journey from Mexico to Atlanta, the Zavalas have come full circle back home to Rabun Gap with their family. Their children Bella ‘22, Sean ‘24, Summer ‘28, are students in the Upper, Middle, and Lower Schools. They also are parents to three-year-old Scarlett.
Ava was a day student who moved in from Atlanta and came to Rabun Gap following in the footsteps of her parents. Her mother was a Rabun Gap boarding student from Atlanta, and met her father, a day student, during their time at Rabun Gap as students. For Omar, the decision to attend Rabun Gap was fate. He also has a family connection to the School, attending Rabun Gap with his cousins and brothers.
“I had attended boarding schools since sixth grade in Wisconsin and Texas, and then my cousins and I chose Rabun Gap by opening a book,” he said. “We decided that whatever page was opened, that was the school we would all go to.”
The impact Rabun Gap has had on the Zavalas spans far beyond just bringing them together as a couple. They have fond memories of class trips and spending time together. Both said they value the lessons of working hard, and how Rabun Gap remains true to its pillars of Work Study Worship still today.
“I became friends with people from all different walks of life,” said Ava. “Different cultures, languages, religions...I had friends that didn’t have the ‘typical’ parents or life like I had. It taught me to be more open-minded.”
“Rabun Gap changed me in the sense that I learned how to read and write in English. I learned how to communicate and developed friendships I still have today,” Omar said. “Some of my closest friends are the guys I graduated with.”
After college and marriage, the Zavalas moved to Mexico where Omar was in the manufacturing business for 11 years. The family moved back to Georgia and started a new business in real estate. In 2017, they moved to Rabun County, giving the next generation of Zavalas a chance to attend Rabun Gap. Having their kids attend their alma mater is a dream come true for the Zavalas.
The Zavalas are not only current parents and alumni but are also loyal supporters of Rabun Gap for future generations.
“I support Rabun Gap because of my personal history and because my children are students. To think that our donations help other students with their tuition makes me so happy. Sometimes the smallest of things could mean the difference in a child's future. My mom always taught me "To whom much is given, from him much is expected". Luke 12:48,” Ava said.
What teacher at Rabun Gap had the most impact on you?
Ava: The teacher that I will always remember was Dess Oliver. It was such an honor to have taken his class. I was the only girl in his architectural drawing class and am proud to say that I carried my own in that class. It gave me a lot of confidence. He was so smart and talented and fun. He truly cared about all his students and took pride in his work.
Omar: I had great teachers but by far the person that did the most was Daniel Fowle. He was our ESL teacher, but more like a parent and mentor. I will forever be grateful to he and his wife for all the time and effort they gave to us. Also, Mrs. Walton and Mrs. Beaver were the best English and history teachers I ever had. I looked forward to their classes. They really loved teaching.
What advice do you have for current students?
Ava: The advice that I would give to any student is the same things that I tell my kids. Of course we expect them to work hard and get good grades. That's their job. Push yourself, dream big. Try new things and embrace change or newness. Not everything is based on a grade, a test, a score. Life is so much more. Be happy and appreciative. No one is perfect, and no one has "everything”. There will always be someone smarter, prettier, more athletic, more talented, etc... You have to be the best version of yourself. Talk to everyone, even people that are not necessarily your favorite. Being able to carry a conversation with different types of people is such a great quality.
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.
