Two Graduates Have Perfect Attendance

Madison Principal Richard Nash and Erin Westgate.

Principal Pat Crowder and Amelia Hillier of Patrick Henry High.

Two students in the Class of 2012 never missed a day from kindergarten through their graduation on June 12.

Erin Westgate of Madison High School and Amelia Hillier of Patrick Henry had perfect attendance all the way through their primary and secondary education.
Hiller, who will attend the University of Portland next year and pursue a career in nursing, told local media that some days were more difficult than others, but it was a goal she wanted to reach.

"I just really love school and I never wanted to miss out on learning anything. I hate the idea of missing the information," Amelia told U-T San Diego.

At graduation, she received advice from her principal, Pat Crowder.

"Let's see if you can do this all the way through college!," she said.

Westgate was second-team All Western League in Field Hockey and will attend Cal Poly-Pomona next year.

"For those of you counting, that is 2,330 consecutive days or 14,980 hours of attendance without missing a single day," said Marian Kim-Phelps, Area Superintendent, in introducing Westgate at Madison's commencement ceremony. Kim-Phelps noted that Erin began her schooling at Sequoia Elementary on Sept. 7, 1999.

Both students received certificates of achievement from Superintendent Tom Torlakson of the State of California and Bill Kowba from the San Diego Unified School district.