Wednesday, May 21, 2003
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Wednesday, May 21, 2003 |
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Father, son don't like sick days By MICHAEL BOYLAN
David Gelhardt's father Mark had perfect attendance for 12 years of schooling, first through twelfth grade. David, a graduating senior at Starr's Mill High School, just bested his father with 13 years of perfect attendance, thanks to kindergarten. What makes this feat most impressive is that because Gelhardt's father served in the military, the family moved several times and none of the moves interfered with his stellar achievement. Gelhardt attended kindergarten while his father was stationed at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany. It wasn't until he reached the fifth grade that he found out about his father's achievement and realized that he was on his way to surpassing that mark. Over the years Gelhardt attended schools in Augusta, Ga., and Lakewood, Va., as well as Braelinn Elementary School, half of first grade through half of fifth grade, and Starr's Mill High School, since his freshman year. All moves took place over winter or summer breaks or weekends. Gelhardt was also never too sick to attend classes. Though he had his share of minor colds or upset stomachs, he was still able to get to school every day. There was one scare in the eighth grade when he had pneumonia but the doctor OK'd going to school as long as he sat out of physical education and was excused from homework for the duration of the illness. In addition to his perect attendance mark, Gelhardt has participted in the Starr's Mill Marching Band and student government along with various clubs. He was student government vice president this year and has been very involved in school activities. At a recent honor ceremony he was presented with a certificate marking perfect attendance for the year and a plaque honoring 13 years of perfect attendance. "I was lucky," said Gelhardt. "I was never really sick, never had any broken bones and never had any disciplinary problems keeping me out of school." While admitting that it was sometimes hard to go to school every day, he credits the encouragement of his family, friends and teachers. One tough time came not too long ago: Senior Skip Day. While many of his classmates took the day off, Gelhardt attended all of his classes with a few other students who couldn't afford to miss a class if they wanted to exempt some of their finals. Despite his record being broken, Gelhardt's father is very proud of his son's accomplishment. "If I ever have kids, they're going to have it even tougher," said Gelhardt. "They are going to have to have perfect attendance through college." As for college, Gelhardt will attend Auburn University in the fall but says his days of perfect attendance are probably behind him. Gelhardt is interested in majoring in engineering but first there's a summer to enjoy, a time without any roll calls or tardy bells.
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