At just 17, Wyatt Reed left a mark on Herrin High School — and on the hearts of everyone who knew him — with a courage that reached far beyond his years. Diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a rare bone cancer, at the end of eighth grade, Wyatt fought valiantly for three years. On Sunday, April 13, Wyatt passed away surrounded by the love of his family and community. His story, however, continues to inspire.

Wyatt’s battle began in his left hip before the cancer spread to several ribs. What followed was a grueling journey — two months in the hospital, time in a wheelchair, and later walking with a cane before regaining his independence. Through chemotherapy, radiation, and countless moments of pain, Wyatt met each day with determination and grit.

“I’m determined to live longer than six months,” he once said after hearing that his time might be limited. And live he did — not just in days, but in purpose.

He remained devoted to the people who mattered most: his mother, Heather Reed, who he credited as “the biggest reason why I’m still alive,” and his father, whom he said had been there “since the start and… until the end.” Wyatt also held deep affection for his brothers — Logan, Christopher, and baby Carter — and his girlfriend, Lauryn Hargraves. He hoped to watch them grow and continue to feel his support.

Despite everything, Wyatt pressed on with school, achieving good grades and preparing for senior year. He planned to try out for drama club and made a trip to Los Angeles, thanks to funds raised by his father’s coworkers and his junior high community, who together contributed nearly $13,000.

Wyatt’s advice to others, spoken in quiet moments of clarity, reveals the heart of who he was: “Live life to the fullest, don’t let the cancer drag you down, and seek the help of everyone in your life that you love the most.”

I met him on a mild, overcast day in February, when I had the honor of photographing him for this story. He met me in the doorway of a classroom dressed for the occasion and with a purposeful resolve I’d seldom seen from a young person. Of course, every moment mattered to Wyatt, and so it mattered to me. He was always going to be on the cover, and had been in every draft of this issue, but now, it feels especially right that he welcomes us to Spring with his confident resolve, his waves of red hair, arms folded and fully prepared for the next act.

Those who knew Wyatt will remember a young man with a quiet spirit and a powerful message — that love, faith, and perseverance can live even in the face of pain. He lived with intention, cherished connection, and gave those around him a gift they will carry forward: the example of someone who, despite everything, chose to live fully.