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High School Graduate With Perfect Attendance Record Since Kindergarten Wants To Be A Math Teacher

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) - A high school graduate who never missed a single day of school since kindergarten says she wants to be a math teacher.

18-year-old Ladasia Rhone graduated from Arlington High School in Arlington, Texas, on June 3, having never missed a single day of school for the past 13 years. That's no sick days, no extra vacation and no family emergencies.

"It's pretty rewarding," she tells CBS 11. "It's just like, wow, I can't believe I really did that."

The streak started in kindergarten at Key Elementary School. It continued at Gunn Junior High School and then another four years at Arlington High, where Rhone kept a busy schedule. She was on the homecoming court and graduated top 12 percent of her class.

"I'm an A/B honor roll student," she says. "I was also a section leader in band."

No sick days. No vacations, coronavirus pandemic-related absences or family emergencies. Arlington High student Ladasia...

Posted by CBS DFW on Wednesday, June 2, 2021

And when the pandemic hit, she joined online classes early to avoid the possibility of being marked absent.

"Very proud of her for going to school everyday, making it," says Ladasia's mom, Laquita Rhone. "We've encouraged her and the future is bright! We look forward to her doing many, many more things.

Rhone was the only person out of 640 students at her class with a perfect attendance record. While the journey to perfect attendance wasn't easy, Rhone says graduation day made the hard work worth it.

"Never give up on your dreams because once you give up, then you can't really reach it at that point," she says. "So just always keep trying and don't forget to also get your education because your education does matter."

Rhone says she will to continue her streak this fall at Texas Wesleyan University. She plans to major in education and become a math teacher.

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