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ASHBURN — Ethan Gray, 18, of Beverly was announced to quiet applause Tuesday as the IHSA's nominee for the Heart of the Arts Award.
Then came a shout from the back of St. Rita of Cascia High School's chapel at 7740 S. Western Ave. in Ashburn.
That shout quickly became a roar that filled the chapel and brought the 637 students at the all-boys Catholic high school to their feet.
It was a fitting ovation for Gray, who has both suffered and celebrated quietly while attending St. Rita.
Gray was diagnosed with sickle cell thalassemia as an infant. On this DNAinfo Radio Extra, Howard Ludwig details Gray's successes in the face of daunting challenges: