For most, 13 years of school without missing a single day sounds impossible—but this year, seven Broward County Public Schools seniors did just that.
These students come from different schools and walks of life, but they all share an unwavering sense of responsibility. From athletes like West Broward’s Chance Shaw to driven scholars like Coral Glades’ Joel Harrigan, they credit their success to determination, support from family, and finding purpose in school life.
“I’ve never been behind in my classes,” Joel shared. “Good friends and activities keep you coming back.” Khaled Eldabbas from Everglades High added, “It shows I’m reliable. Perfect attendance really does matter.”
But no story is more inspiring than that of Belle Tolentino. Born with a chromosomal abnormality, Belle is non-verbal and severely disabled. Yet, since age five, she’s attended school every day—classes held in her residential health facility.
“When she was born, doctors said she wouldn’t live a year,” said her mother. “Now she’s graduating high school.”
College-bound or not, each of these students proves that showing up—day after day—can be a triumph in itself.