When Craig Mietz walks across the stage today to accept his diploma from the Weedsport Central School District, it will be a culmination of 13 years of hard work and dedication.

That's true for most high school seniors who, this weekend, will begin a new chapter in their lives, but the moment for Mietz is extra-special. Since the day he entered kindergarten at age 5, Mietz, now 18, has never missed a single day of school.

“It was something I was working towards,” the Weedsport student said. “Throughout elementary school I had a feeling that someday I could do it, but I didn't really think about it. In high school I realized I still had perfect attendance, and I wanted to finish all the way through and do something that is very uncommon.”

Not only is this accomplishment rare, it is exceptionally rare to have more than one student in the same graduating class achieve this feat, as is the case with the Weedsport Class of 2009. Well, almost.

Jared Ekross, 17, of Weedsport, missed only one day of school - way back in kindergarten - when he had to get a tooth pulled.

What motivated him, he said, was his mom and not wanting to catch up on missed schoolwork.

“It shows commitment to the school,” he said of the accomplishment.

Weedsport High School Principal Brett Fingland echoed that sentiment, saying the students' attendance records exemplify their character and what's important to them.

“I think the first word that pops into my mind is their perseverance,” he said. “I'm sure there have been days that they weren't feeling well or at the top of their game, but they showed perseverance to come to school, and that says a lot about their priorities and their values.”

There were times Mietz got sick, but he said that he was lucky and caught colds during school vacations. During the times he was sick during the school year, he'd make it to school but at times left early to rest.

The hardest of times though, was when some of his close family members died, he said. He wanted to stay out of school to attend calling hours and spend time with family, “but my family members encouraged me to go because that's what my family members that passed away wanted me to do.”

Even in those hard times he knew the ultimate reason for going to class each day: his grades.

“I think it's important to stay up on your schoolwork and go to school,” he said. “It's not that bad; you get to see your friends all the time.”

He will continue with that mentality as he furthers his education at St. John Fisher College, where he plans to study economics, but he said he won't be so hard on himself.

“If there are days that I'm not feeling well and it's not necessary to go to class, I won't go,” he said. “But hopefully someday it pays off in my career.”

He hopes future employers will look at his dedication when considering him for a job.

“I've gone 13 years without missing school,” he said, “and I can do it for the rest of my career.”

Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or alyssa.sunkin@lee.net