NEW ORLEANS — A University of New Orleans student was remembered on campus Tuesday after he died while on a spring break trip in Panama City, Florida.
Best friends, classmates, teachers, and family met in the center of UNO's campus to celebrate the life of William "Nick" Collinsworth.
"He lived by one rule the golden rule, treat others how you want to be treated," said Collinsworth's best friend, Cameron Lartigue.
Collinsworth, from Belle Chasse, would have turned 20 this upcoming Sunday. He was a sophomore business major at UNO.
While swimming in the gulf in Florida April 19, he was caught in rough surf and unable to make it back to shore. Double red flags were flying at the time meaning the water was closed to swimmers. His body was found a few days later.
"He was the only friend at my birthday party this past birthday and he was more than I could ask for," said Collinsworth's friend and classmate, Patrick Ryan Wilbratte.
According to Lartigue, Collinsworth's passion was music and they hoped to one day open a music studio.
"That was the goal to do it together, so now I have to do it for him," Lartigue said.
They recorded music together that Lartigue plans to soon release.
Rough water conditions can cause rip currents and this serves as a reminder: If you're caught in a rip current don't fight it. Swim parallel to shore and swim back to land at an angle. Also, always follow red flag warnings.