Othello's Julissa Garza accomplishes rare feat

OTHELLO — Othello principal Alejandro Vergara couldn’t believe it.

Perfect attendance from kindergarten through 12th grade? No way.

But after some research, Vergara found it to be true. Othello senior Julissa Garza finished the entirety of her schooling without missing a single day. Not only has Garza not been absent, she hasn’t been tardy to any classes.

That’s 2,340 straight school days in 13 years.

“It’s not so much that she loves going to school, which she likes, but as parents we have instilled in her that being in school is important for her to learn,” said Julissa’s father Bernie Garza. “It’s the right thing to do. It has taught her to be responsible, committed, dedicated, and having the motivation to start something and see it through until the end.”

In addition to graduating from Othello High School today, Julissa Garza participated in running start and will graduate from Columbia Basin College on June 16.

“Rain or shine, sickness or funerals, birthday parties or family vacations, nothing has stopped her from going to school every day of her life,” Bernie Garza said. “God has blessed her with good health all these years and when sick she just toughed it out and went to school anyways. God bless her and her parents, for doing what she did.”

More, Julissa Garza was a senior captain for an Othello girls soccer team that finished one win shy of the Class 2A state tournament.

Julissa Garza received a plaque from OHS at the end of the year awards assembly and will also be recognized at graduation for her accomplishment.

Perfect attendance is a tradition in the Garza household.

Julissa’s older sister, Kimberlee Garza, is in her second year at CBC and also graduated high school after 13 years of perfect attendance.

Bernie Garza Jr. (10th grade), Brandon Lee Garza (sixth grade) and Benji James Garza (fourth grade) have also not missed a day.

“Being a school teacher and having been recognized by the district several times for having perfect attendance as a teacher maybe gave her the motivation to do the same year after year,” Bernie Garza said.