What a bunch of Scrooges. Good job, Santenique.

What job would that be? Let's put it this way: Do you think a college would admit a mediocre student who has never been absent from class rather than a valedictorian who missed a few days because of sickness or family emergencies? In my day, one didn't get points just for being present in class. It was simply expected. And no teacher ever held it against you if you had to miss a day here or there.

A few family members of mine never missed a day of school.

I was on the same path until I hit high school, ahh yes..high school.

Sorry, I don't think it's a big deal. It just says to me that she doesn't consider anything else a priority. What if a parent or grandparent died? Would she say, "No, not going to the funeral. Can't miss school, you know"? Sure, it's nice achievement, but in the end, it doesn't matter that much.

With a name like hers, her mother probably forced her to go to school everyday b/c she couldn't/wouldn't afford child care on a sick day; whilst the mother had to work, er, um..

Dumont is in the middle of nowhere. Might as well go to school, as there isn't squat to do otherwise.

Perfect attendance gets you...a letter. Congrats.

what a loser

OCD.

BFD I never missed a single day from kindergarten through 10th grade. Issues there forward...ladies, man. Priorities ;)

this is insane! good for her.

consider someday when she has kids.

"mommy, can i stay home from school today?"

"you know when i was in school, i never ever missed a day. not one. from kindergarten all the way through high schoo--"

"yeah, great mommy, we know. i just pooped a little in my pants."

"take some immodium and get on the bus."

I had fairly good attendance throughout my school years, but every now and then I was like what is the point of having perfect attendance through a school year? Sometimes I felt like shit and figured why should I go like that to school? Even better was half days. Going to school at 8 and coming home at 11 so by reason why what is the point? Nothing happens anyway so I always skipped school on half days.

First off, that misspelling on the ABC news story is great. Haters take notice: Gothamist isn't the only news site that needs better proofing!

Second, fantastic! Congratulations and good luck in the future Santenique!

And to suepart and other people who might think, "so what / what are her grades?", shut the Hell up. Show me a perfect attendance to your school for thirteen years.

She might not have gotten straight A's, but she shows a level of dedication that most people don't have through their entire lives, let alone at that age. That's more important than arbitrary letters that the city adjusts.

I'm impressed too—who hasn't begged their parents for a sick day? Especially since schools are legitimately petri dishes of illness.

I second you entirely on the congrats. This clearly evidences an extraordinarily high level of commitment and dedication (are those terms synonymous?) I would say, even far surpassing straight A's which may be gained by mere talent.

I'm dumbfounded by the cynical responses.

exactly, she's still going to college and her mom knows the value of dedication and work ethic.

and going to school sick? big deal. people go to work sick all the time, just because you're lucky enough to have sick days. she didn't spread meningitis like some other suburban schools.

That's right Santenique, if you manage to keep everything perfect then nothing bad will ever happen to you or your family.

Perfect attendance, perfect housekeeping, perfectly clean hands...

But I have just one question Santenique -- are you sure you turned off the stove?

lolz

I think she should do a 'cal ripken' and just stay home one day for no apparent reason.

Graduationg?

Also:

"When I was sick I would take medicine in the morning and then I feel a little better, then I would go to school,"

Wow, way to expose every other child to your illness so you could have perfect attendance.

Way to graduationg.

big deal. so she went to school every day. what are her grades? what are her dreams if she has any besides showing up to every class on time?