Perfect attendance seniors in a class by themselves

Update: Perfect attendance seniors in a class by themselves

Four members of SAISD’s class of 2012 have added cause for celebration when they cross the commencement stage. They are part of an elite group to graduate high school without ever having missed a day since starting elementary.These distinguished teens are:

Ruby Arredondo, Edison High School. Ruby's perfect attendance began at Travis Elementary and was maintained throughout her years at Twain Middle School and Edison, where she was the school's valedictorian. This fall she heads to Texas Tech University to study nursing.
(Photo not available.)

Richie Balderrama, Fox Tech High School. The importance of perfect attendance was instilled in Richie by his mother and by the time he reached high school decided to make never missing a day his own personal mission. His school days began at Bowden Elementary, followed by Hawthorne Academy. He plans to attend St. Philip’s College and complete his higher education at the University of Texas at San Antonio in preparation of teaching math and coaching at the middle-school level.  
 

Amanda Davis, Travis Early College High School. From the time she was at Foster Elementary and throughout her time at Connell Middle School, Amanda was dedicated and driven to attain perfect attendance, realizing at a young age what a rare achievement this would be. She will continue her education this fall at Sul Ross State University where she will major in veterinary science and then go for her master’s degree at Texas A&M University.

Mahalia “Haley” Garcia, Jefferson High School and Phoenix Middle College. For Mahalia, perfect attendance is a family tradition. She follows her sister Jesusita – Jefferson class of 2011- in accomplishing this feat and both were inspired early on by their mother. Upon realizing by about 2nd and 3rd grade, respectively, at Madison Elementary that neither ever had missed a day of school, the siblings vowed to make this their goal, continuing at the former Mann Middle School and beyond. Mahalia’s freshman and sophomore years were spent at Jefferson as part of the Fashion Magnet program. For the past two years she has attended SAISD’s Phoenix Middle College on the St. Philip’s College Southwest Campus. This fall Mahalia will study art at Indiana State University and aspires to teach art. Her sister attends San Antonio College with plans to major in business at St. Mary's University.