VIERA | Born and raised in Madison, Alabama, Brolin Cozzolino grew up attending the local Catholic school and parish down the street from his childhood home. The oldest of three children, faith was an integral part of his life for as long as he can remember.
At an early age, Cozzolino was drawn to participate in the Mass in a more active way. “Around first grade, I started thinking like, oh, I want to do more.” While he had to wait until second grade to become an altar server, he began serving as soon as he was able.
After the COVID pandemic began, the Cozzolinos moved to Florida, and started attending St. John the Evangelist Parish in Viera. Cozzolino was not used to sitting in the pews during Mass and looked to get more involved in the liturgy. He asked if he could start serving at Mass and has been an altar server ever since. In 2022, Cozzolino became a lead altar server and now helps train others.
In 11th grade, one of his friends became an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EMHC) after he was confirmed. When he suggested Cozzolino become an EMHC too, Cozzolino and another friend decided to go through the process. The three teenagers are now all EMHCs at the parish. Sometimes Cozzolino is an EMHC while altar serving. “Our priest (Pastor, Holy Cross Father John Britto Antony) likes that.”
Growing up, he had many solid religion teachers who clearly and effectively taught the faith. After taking an early childhood class, he wanted to see if he could help teach at his parish. He decided to become a catechist at the same time as his younger sister. She decided to help the kindergarten class, while he tried his hand with fifth grade students.
After learning the ropes as a teacher aide, Cozzolino wanted to make a bigger impact. As the lead catechist for the fifth-grade section of religious education, Cozzolino enjoys having a positive influence on others. “I still see the kids I taught three years ago.” He says his former pupils will say hi to him when they see each other at church. “I happen to teach a lot of their siblings… so it’s really cool.”
Throughout high school, Cozzolino has tutored younger students in math and history. He has also been an equipment manager for the football team at Viera High School, where he attends school, and served as a stage manager for a theatre program at a local charter school. In April, the St. John the Evangelist Council of Catholic Women awarded Cozzolino with the St. Carlo Acutis Youth Service Award, a quarterly award to an outstanding young member of the parish community.
His involvement at his parish helped him form a strong community with his peers. “Some of my closest friends I met altar serving,” he said. Cozzolino credits his friends for helping him grow. “Having (a) circle within your friend group of close people who are like-minded in faith, that helps a lot of growth personally.”
In the fall, Cozzolino will attend the University of Alabama where he will major in sports management and work for the football team. His goal is to become a sports agent. He has visited the campus multiple times and has met the Bama Catholic Ministry staff at the Saban Catholic Student Center. The Center is close to where most of his classes will be held. He hopes to go there, do homework between classes and hang out. Being a faithful Catholic who attends a public high school, Cozzolino says the key to remaining steadfast is to find others who share a common foundation. “Surround yourself with somebody who you can be yourself with… who you surround yourself with definitely plays a big role in how you stay grounded.”
By Lucas Blackwell of the Florida Catholic staff, May 15, 2026