Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Shanahan grad records perfect attendance in 13 years of school
Three Bishop Shanahan High School students received an award for having perfect attendance for their four years of high school and one student obtained perfect attendance for all 13 years of school.
Graduate Rebecca Nguyen managed to attend school every day, something that became a goal of hers.
“I made it my goal to have perfect attendance because it was something I knew I would be able to set my mind to and accomplish,” Nguyen said. “I wanted to feel a sense of accomplishment in something so little.”
At first it may have seemed like a piece of paper, but as time went on, it developed into that goal that she desired to accomplish.
“At a young age I didn’t really think much of it, I just wanted the piece of paper that said ‘perfect attendance - Rebecca Nguyen.’ Eventually as the years went on, it became something bigger. I was on a perfect attendance streak, and after every year I became more determined. At my eighth-grade graduation, I was awarded a K-8 perfect attendance award. The audience was stunned and gave me a standing ovation.”
She knew that she could continue her streak and follow in the footsteps of her older sister, Bianca Nguyen, who received the perfect attendance award every year and was awarded the K-12 perfect attendance award at her Bishop Shanahan High School graduation in 2014. She also attended St. Joseph School and graduated in 2010.
“I looked up to my sister and I wanted to be just like her,” Nguyen said.
She remembers how the crowd roared and gave her sister a standing ovation at Shanahan, and that made her want to continue her perfect attendance streak in high school. She did so successfully and received that same roaring applause when school officials announced her perfect record during the graduation ceremony held on June 8.
She had received encouragement from others when they realized she was on track to achieve her goal. She said people were shocked that she had not missed a day of school and they encouraged her to continue on that journey.
She expressed gratitude to Sister Catherine, who was her St. Joseph’s Elementary School principal, for awarding her that K-8 award when she graduated. It was rare, and not just because it was a rare accomplishment.
“That year St. Joseph stopped giving out per-
fect attendance awards, but made an exception for me. That moment my name was announced at my graduation, will be a moment I will never forget,” Nguyen said. “The audience got to their feet and applauded. I felt a true sense of accomplishment, and felt as though all that hard work had been worth it for that very moment.”
She thanked all of her teachers who helped her excel academically, and she personally thanked teachers Lorainne Geiling and Joan Hayes. She also thanked her family for their support.
“I loved being able to learn in a Catholic environment,” Nguyen said, “I will never be able to thank my parents enough for sending me to a catholic school these past 13 years.”
Her faith is an important part of her life.
“God has a plan for me, and I wouldn’t be here today without Him,” Nguyen said. “He’s given me people who have supported and encouraged me through all parts of life, especially in my academics.” Visit Daily Local News