From front to back, Kathy Tran, Alicia Worthylake, Saffinatu Bangura, Erick Smith and Soriya Chhun pose at Lynn Classical Tuesday. The students were honored for their exceptional attendance records over the years, including Tran who has not missed a day since elementary school. (Item Photo / Owen O'Rourke)

By Sara Brown / The Daily Item

LYNN — Lynn Classical senior Kathy Tran is one of the top two students in the senior class, according to Principal Gene Constantino.

Her success might depend on her exceptional attendance record.

Tran has not missed one day of school since elementary school.

“I can go, so why not? I am given the opportunity to go to school, so why not be there?” Tran said.

Tran does admit to coming to school sick sometimes and just pushing through it.

“I do it all the time,” she said. “Sometimes I forget why.”

Tran is one of 94 students who have not been absent, tardy or dismissed this year from school who Lynn Classical officials recently recognized.

Senior Alicia Worthylake suffered a serious injury during this year’s Powder Puff football game between Classical and English High School, and had to be carried off the field on a stretcher.

But the next day, she showed up for school bright and early, wearing a neck brace.

Worthylake said she never considered missing school that day.

“It was Steve Urkel day so I thought a neck brace would add to my costume,” she joked.

Worthylake finds missing school a hassle she tries to avoid.

“It is a lot easier to understand the material being there the first time,” she said. “Then, you have to copy people’s notes and it can be very confusing.”

The senior also had an important exam on the day she came in with a neck brace.

“I’d rather take a test with a mild concussion then not take it at all,” she said.

Constantino said he was proud and “impressed” with the students who haven’t missed any school.

“Most of the time, you hear about the students who aren’t showing up,” he said.

Senior Erick Smith said he hasn’t been absent from school in about five years and hasn’t been late in four.

“There is no point in skipping,” he said. “You are here. You might as well make the most of it.”

But Smith understands the students who miss school.

“You never know anyone’s story. They might not have a ride or live far away,” Smith said.

But others have little sympathy for students who show up late for school.

“There is no point in being tardy,” Worthylake said. “You can get up and be ready on time.”

“Some students are just lazy,” Tran said. “I don’t hold it against them. They are going to do what they want to do. It doesn’t affect me.”

Having perfect attendance does have its perks.

“I recently went on a college interview and they were really impressed that I’ve never missed a day of school this year,” Worthylake said.

Constantino recently honored the students with an ice cream day.

This special recognition meant a lot to the students.

“Teachers don’t often recognize you for being there everyday,” senior Saffinatu Bangura said. “It nice to know Mr. Constantino cared enough to do this for us.”