Michael Randazzo

Michael Randazzo – Missouri
Nomination by Mike Randazzo
Photography by Carman Bryant Photography
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine
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Nomination: Michael Randazzo Jr. is inspiring because he is a senior in high school but will be graduating from Mineral Area College with an Associate of Arts Degree before he graduates from high school. Michael has maintained an above A average in high school and will graduate Summa Cum Laude from college. While in high school and college and maintaining that grade point average he also plays Varsity baseball and basketball.
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Photography by Carman Bryant Photography

​What are you most excited for during your senior year?
Being a senior is exciting. I am excited to get one final chance to chase the elusive District Championship in baseball. I am also excited to be a college graduate before I graduate high school. I am excited about my future and the chance to make a difference by serving underserved areas of Missouri with competent medical care.

What legacy do you hope to leave behind?
I hope my legacy is one of hard-work and discipline. It is my sincere hope to show younger students and my thirteen-year-old that you can have fun but remain committed to being a high-achieving student.

What will you miss most about high school?
I am going to miss everything about high school. My class is very tight knit. Most of us started kindergarten together and we will be graduating together in May. My friends, my teachers, and sports are notable things I will miss. I will miss the banter with teachers and their encouraging words.

Where would we most likely find you and your friends and what would you be doing?
You would find us on a baseball field, a basketball court, a game lobby or Lady Queene. (Lady Queene is a local ice cream and burger place that is right next to the school.) We would be playing baseball, basketball, online gaming, or eating.

How did you find your senior photographer, Carman Bryant? What was your experience like? What did you love most about it?
My photographer was my cousin. I have not spent a lot of time with her specifically, but I knew that she had taken some other phenomenal photos and I was able to convince her to take my Senior pictures. I had no idea what to expect, but I trusted Carman. Her eye for framing the perfect shot, location, and background are incomparable. She knew exactly what would compliment my features. Carman was a true professional.

Photography by Carman Bryant Photography

What is like doing "dual" schooling? What does an average day look like for you?
Being dually enrolled in school is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Spring semester, 2023, I had 18 credit hours of college classes as well as my regular five high school classes. It was a crazy time. I also played baseball and basketball that semester. I have no idea how I got through it. A normal day would begin with a high school class. Next, I would have my college hours. Then, I would return to class with my high school peers. As soon as school was out, I would go to practice or a game. Finally, I would get home and do the hours of homework I had for the day. I would be lucky to get five or six hours of sleep.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
Rural America is severely underserved with basic health care and services. I plan to attend medical school to become a physician with the plan to provide these much needed services to fellow rural Americans.

Tell us about your baseball career.
I started playing baseball when I five years old. I have played every year since then. I have been coached by a lot of different coaches, but have been lucky enough to be coached by my dad for some of those years. When I was 13 and 14 years old, my team won the Missouri State Championship. I have been a Varsity starter in baseball all four years of high school. I am missing a High School District Championship to finish my career.

What is a favorite memory with your baseball team?
My favorite memory regarding baseball actually is the things that take place off of the field. I enjoyed getting to stay in hotels with my teammates, going swimming, playing wiffleball games, and playing video games in the hotel rooms.

Photography by Carman Bryant Photography

​What else would you like to talk about?
I love being on the baseball field. There is nothing quite like that feeling, the feeling that your individual effort has contributed to a great collective accomplishment.

Where has been your favorite place to travel so far and why?
I enjoyed a family trip we took to Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah. We started at Zion National Park. Which was my favorite place I have ever been. We climbed Angel’s Landing (a mountain in the park) and hiked the Narrows (a slot canyon). It was beautiful!

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I believe I could talk about sports and gaming forever.

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
It would depend upon the weather. Most likely on the baseball field, playing roller hockey, or at my computer playing video games.

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
I am applying to colleges and trying to determine where I will finish my Bachelor’s Degree and then attend Medical School. It is extremely gratifying to continue my academic career, get to help people, and make my family proud.

What is the hardest thing you have ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
The spring 2023 semester of school where I took 18 credit hours of college work and five hours of high school. I was focused, determine, and a bit crazy.

Photography by Carman Bryant Photography

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
Don’t take your time for granted and be grateful for any help you get.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
I expect to be in Medical School, hopefully working toward becoming a physician.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
I really enjoyed playing roller hockey.

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
I am an excellent gamer.

3 Things on your bucket list
Skydive, travel to Italy and see my family’s hometown of Randazzo, and learn to become an airplane pilot.

Who do you find inspiring?
My dad.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
I think being happy, humble, and determined is the key to inspiring others. You should accept criticism and also show appreciation.

Look for Michael in issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 73

click here to nominate an inspiring teen