4178e630abbf55fbda57cef27f1939b0.jpg

ROBBINSVILLE: Student never misses a day

School officials laud student for perfect attendance

ROBBINSVILLE — One high school senior is expected to graduate on June 21 with a perfect attendance record — 2,340 days of elementary, middle and high school attendance.
   If Sean Tierney, 18, of Robbinsville can make it through the last week of school without out missing any days, he says he will be the first student in his school to have a perfect attendance record.
   ”Throughout his school career Sean has had exceptional attendance,” said Robbinsville High School Principal Molly Avery in an email.
   ”I am glad that I was able to go this far and complete the record,” Sean wrote in an email. “After a while, it was just something I wanted to try and finish.”
   For Sean, it was not exactly planned, it just sort of “evolved.”
   ”It wasn’t really a goal but I thought about whether I would be able to complete the next four years with the record intact,” Sean said. “I glad that I am fortunate to be healthy and was able to go to school every day. It’s nice knowing that I completed all 13 years without missing a day.”
   When Sean was completing University Heights Elementary School in Hamilton in 2006, “We realized that he had never missed a day of school in six years since kindergarten,” said his mom, Yvonne Tierney, in an email. “We were a bit amazed.”
   ”This was probably the first time we started to think how much longer would it last,” Ms. Tierney said. “Each school year was a challenge. When he graduated from eighth grade from the Pond Road Middle School he had now succeeded with nine years of perfect attendance. Starting high school now included a new goal to see how many more years he would be able to accomplish.”
   ”I didn’t really think about it much until recently when I got closer to graduation day,” Sean said.
   ”Most of my friends who didn’t know I had this record were in disbelief when they heard,” Sean said. “They are all happy for me and surprised that I did it.”
   ”I am very proud of Sean for all his accomplishments — academically, athletically and for being a great son — including his determination and fortitude to accomplish the goal,” Ms. Tierney said.
   Ms. Tierney, however, will be happy and “relieved” to see her son graduate and accomplish his goal. “It will now be easier to schedule doctor visits and vacations,” Ms. Tierney added with a smile. Sean will attend West Chester University in the fall where he plans to major in physical therapy but is also considering law enforcement.
   According to his mom, as a preschooler Sean spent quite an amount of time in the doctor’s office with colds and ear infections.
   ”So, obviously starting kindergarten I had no idea what to expect regarding exposure to new illnesses and his reactions,” Ms. Tierney said. “In 2006, he did contract Lyme disease and was very sick. Fortunately, he has no lasting effects from the disease and it occurred at the end of June when school was out for the year so his attendance was not impacted.”
   Sean has three siblings — Connor, 16, Rachel, 14, and Brian — who will not be following in his footsteps and have already missed school, according to Ms. Tierney.
   The Robbinsville administration plans to recognize Sean for his “wonderful accomplishments” at the next board meeting on June 25.
   ”The RHS administration and staff are very proud of Sean for all of his accomplishments and wish him continued success for the future,” Principal Avery added.
   Sean has been recognized several times for perfect attendance, including a recognition in fifth grade and an eighth grade certificate. He is anticipating a proclamation at a Township Council meeting on June 13.
   ”Sean is a fantastic young man with a tremendous work ethic,” said Superintendent Steven Mayer in an email. “This kind of dedication to school does not surprise me.”
   ”I appreciate all the congratulations and good wishes people have offered in accomplishing this,” Sean said.
   While Sean may have had a perfect attendance through his school career, his highlight of his senior year was his senior class trip to Disney World which was “great,” according to Sean.