78 Photo Essay: Nick Rizzo

Bevill State Community College student

Words by Nick Norris | Image by Al Blanton

Perhaps one of the most stressful periods in a young person’s life is the daunting leap from the security of high school to the unknowns of adult life. Nick Rizzo, a 2020 Dora High School graduate and current student at Bevill State Community College, is now winding his way through the maze of early adulthood. In the process, he is forging his own unique path by way of his refined artistic skills, a deep passion for music, and a resilient dedication to his studies.

In high school, Nick won a state-wide writing competition, played in the Dora High band, and stayed involved in other forms of art, all while carving out time to regularly attend church. By graduation, he earned co-salutatorian honors alongside fellow classmate Courtney Stone and had already completed a few college courses by the time he officially enrolled as a full-time college student.

“I think God has guided me through a lot to give me these opportunities,” Nick explains. “There are some things I had to experience in my childhood to get me here.”

Nick’s love for the arts has remained strong through the pandemonium of college life. In the Alabama Church of God Teen Talent Competition, Nick was awarded first runner-up in the “Visuals Arts- Wet Media” division for his painting, “City Scape.” This award qualified his work to compete in the national Teen Talent Competition held at Lee University. 

He is also a member of UAB’s marching band, playing tenor saxophone for the Marching Blazers as a freshman. Despite not being involved in any halftime shows during the 2020 college football season due to social distance restraints, Nick and his fellow Marching Blazers were able to perform in a pre-game show for a UAB football game toward the end of the year.

“I hope to stay involved in art after I finish college,” Nick says. “I’d like to continue writing, playing music, and creating art in some form as often as I can.”

Poised to graduate this semester with a 4.0 GPA, Nick is keeping his options open for his future career. He is now contemplating which university to attend post-Bevill, and also has a potential interest in real estate.

For now, Nick is simply enjoying the unknown, taking it a day at a time, and finding comfort in his art and his faith. 78