This week we cast a spotlight on Alexa Zappia, one of two young leaders in our community recently honored by Williamsville South High School as a distinguished alum. Alexa joined fellow alum Jacob Gewurz in being inducted into the school’s Wall of Fame earlier this month. 

The daughter of Tracy Zappia, Alexa grew up in Amherst and is a Williamsville South High School graduate from the Class of 2014. During her high school years, she and her family were active members of Temple Beth AM (today, Congregation Shir Shalom). Alexa attended St. John Fisher University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in 2018.  While a student, she founded Rocks of Unity™ – a philanthropic organization which affirms diversity as a strength through kindness, acceptance, and unity. What started as a lesson plan during her student teaching training cycle to highlight the differences among students, faculty, and staff has now turned into a social movement reaching over twenty-five different countries and over thirty-five different states. Additionally, Alexa has also established a branch of Rocks of Unity™ called Rocks of Unity™ Rock Stars. Through these endorsements, celebrities also decorate a rock to represent their identity in solidarity with the foundational values of the brand. Some of these participants include James Taylor, Harry Connick Jr., Ryan Seacrest, Kelly Ripa, Andy Cohen, Ellen DeGeneres, and Michael Bublé. 

Currently, Alexa is an Emmy-nominated Casting Producer. She has worked to cast some of the top unscripted television shows including The Bachelor, Squid Game: The Challenge, Love is Blind, Married at First Sight, Big Brother Canada, and Worst Cooks in America. Alexa was first introduced to a casting producer in 2020 who thought she would be a good fit in the field of national television. Although Alexa at first did not see the “casting spark” inside of herself, she sent her resume to this producer as requested. That same day, Alexa interviewed and was hired to start casting for Don’t Forget the Lyrics the next day. She started this job without any prior education in the entertainment field, yet she was determined to teach herself all the skills she now uses each day. Alexa and her casting team have now been nominated for both an Emmy and a People’s Choice Awards for their work.  

Mazal Tov Alexa for your induction to the Williams South Hall of Fame!