ASHBURN — Ethan Gray, 18, of Beverly has been selected as the 2015 recipient of the National High School Heart of the Arts Award.
Gray, a senior at St. Rita of Cascia High School in Ashburn, came out ahead of 51 other nominees throughout the country for the National Federation of State High School Associations' top prize.
Gray will be recognized June 29 at the association's summer meeting in New Orleans. This is the second year that the award has been offered.
Gray is an accomplished actor, musician and visual artist the all-boys Catholic high school at 7740 S. Western Ave.
He plays 11 different instruments, though he mostly gravitates towards the saxophone and guitar. His musical talent and resolve have made him a leader in both the school's jazz and marching bands, said Cindy Gradek, St. Rita's band director.
Howard Ludwig says Gray is quiet about his struggles:
Gray's abilities come despite being diagnosed with sickle cell thalassemia as an infant. This rare inherited blood disease affects his circulation. An outbreak or "pain crisis" settles in various parts of his body with a throbbing pain as his irregular-shaped red blood cells back up — most often in his thighs.
"I can't really rush myself as hard as others without knowing there will be a risk in the end," Gray said.
To quell the disease, Gray receives monthly blood transfusions at Advocate Christ Hospital in suburban Oak Lawn. The transfusion began after he suffered a stroke on stage in St. Rita's auditorium in April.
Gradek nominated Gray for the statewide recognition, which he was awarded in last month.
"When I read the criteria, I just thought, 'This is Ethan,'" Gradek said. "A lot of students here don't even know his story. He's so quiet about it."
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