WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. — A West Mifflin Area High School student battling terminal cancer has died, one day before the community was to throw him an early graduation party.
Ryan Conley died Thursday night, according to Jamie's Dream Team, which was helping to make the party possible.
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Last month, Ryan, who had battled cancer once before, surprised his classmates at a pep rally, where school administrators presented him with his high school diploma.
"His friends were there with him. (They brought) him out into the crowd and everyone went crazy, clapping, screaming, yelling, crying," Molly Harbst, who has served as a guidance counselor, cheerleader and friend to the Conley family for the past four years, told Channel 11 earlier this week.
West Mifflin Area High School's Class of 2016 has dedicated the year to #RyanStrong, according to a post on the West Mifflin Area High School Facebook page.
"He was always so calm and always smiling though it all," said Superintendent Dan Castagna. "His legacy will be: he brought out the best of our students, and you don't hear that enough now."
Saturday's graduation party for Ryan has been canceled. Everything that had been donated will be used for Ryan's wake and to help the family with funeral costs.
WPXI
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