VILONIA, Ark. — Ask anyone in Vilonia about Ethan Dietz, and you'll hear the same sentiment.

"He was one who was always ready to go, ready to help," Erin Rappold, former teacher and family friend, said. "He was just always that kid that just jumped in with both feet, always taking that initiative."

Rappold shared that Dietz was a light, much more than a standout basketball player at Vilonia High School.

"He would just grab you and hug you and tell you he loves you. And that was just him. He always wanted people to know that they were loved, and he just brought joy to so many people's lives," Rappold said.

Dietz's former trainer in Conway, Warren Martin, said he remembers his time with Dietz during the summer.

"He'd always make it a point to come up, you know, either give me a fist bum

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