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‘Amazing’ – McDavid Student Graduates With 14 Years Of Perfect Attendance
June 11, 2013
When Katelynn Zisa of McDavid was in kindergarten at Byrneville Elementary School, she set a pretty high goal — perfect attendance through her senior year.
And with her graduation last week from West Florida High School, she had finally accomplished her goal of 14 years of perfect attendance without missing a single day since pre-kindergarten. Ever. That’s over 2,500 days of class with Zisa present each and every morning.
“It’s something you just don’t hear of very much,” Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said. As far as Thomas knows, Zisa is the first to graduate with complete perfect attendance during his career as superintendent. “It’s amazing for someone to go 12 years and never miss a day of school.”
“It was a hard goal to accomplish,” Zisa said. One of the hardest parts, she said, was balancing three or four years of playing sports and getting home late from games. “I still stayed up doing homework, and the next day I would do it again. Most students would stay home to catch up on everything. I could have stayed home but my goal was important to me so I held my head up.”
“You know that somewhere along the way she had to overcome some obstacles to make it all those years without missing a day,” Thomas said. “It’s a tribute to determination.”
Now that she’s a graduate, Zisa is looking for a job. And, potential employers, she’s likely to show up for work every day.
“I bet she’ll be there every day,” Thomas said. “I’d hire her.”
Editor’s note: Zisa and her mother have report cards showing 14 years of perfect attendance, including kindergarten. Due to record availability, the school district was only able to verify the the last 12 years — grades 1-12 — of perfect attendance.
Comments
25 Responses to “‘Amazing’ – McDavid Student Graduates With 14 Years Of Perfect Attendance”
Great job Katelyn! I am very proud of you. Continue the good work. I love you!
Through thick and thin, you hung in there. What a beautiful girl and an amazing accomplishment!!!! Congratulations and may you accomplish in the rest of your life what you set your mind too. Best of luck always/
As I recall, Marilyn McCall had perfect attendance upon graduation in 1972,
Feel free to correct me if I am wrong.
Congrats. Hey think that’s Tony’s lil sis.
Thank you everyone so much, I’m glad William ran the story. My school barely recognized me, all I got was a comment as I walked off the stage after receiving my award just for my senior year perfect attendance, my principal looked at me like I had a third eye for asking for such an award. I was told my guidance counselor a that there was no way to verify it.. This really meant a lot to me Thank you William so much(:
Soooooo many Congrats to her. I know this had to be a hard thing to do. My soon-to-be 4th grader has the same goal. She wants to finish elementary with her name on the marquee for perfect attendance from k-5th. I will show her this and it will show her it can be done!!!! I know Katelyn has one proud momma!!!!!!
Congratulations, Katelynn.
YOU knew you could do it if you set your mind to it.
You set a good example for all others, not just in attendance, either.
David for better people
I hope there is a business owner or manager reading this that can offer her a job. Clearly attendance would not be an issue! Anyone should be proud to hire such a dedicated young lady.
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!
excellent example of setting goals early on and finishing it to the end…im sure there were days when she truely did not feel physically well enough to attend class- but, she did…this WILL look good on a resume …..proud of this gals tenacity and stick-to-it-ness! **WAY TO GO**
Congratulations Katelyn!!! I think this is amazing!!! God bless you in all that you do!
What an amazing accomplishment! Congratulations Katelyn!
Congratulations ..not to just her but her parents for helping her achive such a difficult thing
Congratulations Katelynn on your perfect attendance. I drove your older brothers and sister on my school bus until 1997 when I went to work at Century Corrections in the Medical Department. Also, congratulations on your Graduation!
That is Great,, I got to meet her at WFHS .. She is a very sweet young lady,,
There should be a scholarship awarded for this. The state should have a four yr full ride to a state university for any student who accomplishes this feat. Congratulations
Congrats, way to go!
you should check to see if it is a state record or even U.S. record… Awesome job, you must have never had a stomach virus in those 14 years
Way to go Katelyn!! Huuuuuge accomplishment!
Great story! You have to show up to participate… Should include in all future resumes!
Awesome! Kudos to this kid. What a determined young lady. I’m sure her future will be bright. And kudos to her parents that obviously have done an amazing job raising her.
That is awesome! Congrats……
Congratulations Zisa.
13 years went by in a hurry.
That is absolutely amazing Katelyn! Congratulations on your perfect attendance and graduation. You are one determined young lady! I can tell just by this that you will be able to accomplish anything you set your mind too! ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!
AWSOME…A really dedicated young lady