They fought through fevers, colds, torn ligaments, dislocated shoulders and lazy mornings when their parents had to drag them out of bed.

Still, they showed up — every school day, from kindergarten to senior year.

Ten students from South Gate Senior High School will graduate this week with 13 years of perfect attendance. That’s rare, both locally and nationally. Most schools have only one or two by senior year.

The classmates recognized this week for their flawless records began grade school in 1997. They managed to avoid two hazards that can take down even the most committed: chicken pox and lice. They never missed a day — through the aftermath of Sept. 11, through budget-cut protests, through immigration walkouts and swine flu scares.


The final big test came a few months agostudents to make it to class. Some states have offered grocery money, mortgage payments, even cars. Record setters in L.A. used to earn iPods and restaurant gift certificates.

On Thursday, the South Gate students got plaques, certificates from the board of education, cords to hang around their necks at graduation and some praise from the mayor.

“They had perfect attendance not just one year or four years but 13 years,” Mayor Gregory Martinez told the audience before he called each student’s name during the senior awards ceremony. “Now that’s an impressive dedication to your education.”


Marlen Uribe walked off the stage satisfied with her reward. The 18-year-old who once insisted on going to school a day after a water heater exploded in her face, causing first-and second-degree burns, said she had