HAZELWOOD, Mo. – A Hazelwood West High School senior is going to graduate with 13 years of perfect school attendance.
Tanner Whitworth is on the baseball team and has spent the past 13 years working on his ‘perfect attendance.’
Whitworth said his sick days always seemed to come during winter breaks and over the summer.
He said it was tempting to skip a first hour of class, but he couldn’t bring himself to break his streak.
“It became more important as I got through the years,” he said. “In high school, I knew I wanted to do it and see what happens. I was pretty proud once it happened.”
Whitworth’s streak started at Russell Elementary School and went on to West Middle School and high school. He said he intends to keep the streak going when he gets to Millikin University.
“I like knowing that I got here and will receive a diploma after all the hard work I put in, it feels good to move on to a good college,” he said.
The Hazelwood School District said Whitworth will continue his baseball career for Millikin’s team and hopes to major in either actuarial science or accounting.
Whitworth will graduate on June 1.
