Othello's Julissa Garza accomplishes rare feat
Courtesy photo - Pictured are proud parents Bernie and Maria Guadalupe Garza with their daughter Julissa Guadalupe.
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 does, 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, Julissa 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 said. “God has blessed her with good health all these years and when sick she just toughed it out and went to school anyway. God bless her for doing what she did.”
Julissa, who was a senior captain for the Othello girls soccer team that finished one win shy of the Class 2A state tournament, received a plaque from OHS at the end of the year awards assembly 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 to date.
“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 said.
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