A major milestone for a local Lone Star College-Kingwood student and the Fire Science Academy. Zacharias Weber is the youngest student ever to graduate from the program.
Weber was 16 years old when he entered the Academy, and at 17, graduated with his Associate of Applied Science degree in Fire Science Technology. Weber admitted the program was challenging but said he learned a lot about himself during that time.
“I think the main challenge came from learning my boundaries, my limits and how to push beyond those and how to go further than I previously thought I could.”
Being the youngest in the program also came with other obstacles.
“I knew that eyes were on me,” Weber said, “but it definitely motivated me to work harder and be the best that I could.”
Weber received several awards at the Fire Science Academy Graduation, including “The Highest GPA Award” and the “Gary Stanley Anytime – Anywhere Award.” But he said his proudest moment was during the program when Cadettes came together to help a fellow student who fell behind during a difficult run.
“I pulled myself and a couple of other Cadettes, we hang back and we quite literally wrap our arms around him and carry him across the finish line. And doing that first showed me what it was like to be a part of a camaraderie and a brotherhood, and actually be a family, saying that we’re in it together, and I’m not finishing unless you do.”
Program Director Chief David Teverbaugh said he’s never had a student like Zach.
“Throughout the academy I watched him several times sacrifice his own performance to step back and help others who were struggling. It was never about him; it was always about his team members and his class.”
Teverbaugh said Weber is one of the most motivated students he has ever taught.
“He is intelligent, physically strong, polite, humble, and a born leader. I call him my unicorn! Zach will be the first to tell you his motivation, his strength, his character all derive from his deep belief in God.”
Weber praised the Fire Science program and its leaders.
“Physically it creates some of the toughest, strongest people I’ve ever seen, and I definitely would recommend it for anyone who thinks they can be more or want to become a firefighter. This program, it’s an excellent one for pushing you to your limits and then past them, and then teaching you that you can do all things if you put your mind to it.”
Heather Weber, Zach’s Mother, said their family is grateful their son was shaped under such great leadership.
“I was already proud of my son before the academy, but the academy grew him into a confident man. Zach really saw Chief Teverbaugh and his training instructors as mentors, and he really valued their wisdom…the character qualities Zach was taught in the academy carry forward into his daily life.”
Because he’s not 18, Weber can’t be a firefighter just yet. In the meantime, he plans to finish up his BAS in Emergency Management.
You can see Zach Weber's full interview here.
Lone Star College enrolls over 80,000 students each semester providing high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., serves as Chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and has been named a 2022 Great Colleges to Work For® institution by the Chronicle of Higher Education and recognized by Fortune Magazine and Great Place To Work® as one of this year’s Best Workplaces in Texas™. LSC consists of eight colleges, seven centers, eight Workforce Centers of Excellence and Lone Star Corporate College. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.