Corpus Christi Caller Times Caller.com - 13 years of school, not a single day absent

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Friday, July 16, 1999

13 years of school, not a single day absent
Robstown's Jose 'J.R.' Zavala earns a day to call his own, and praise of town, family
By Jennifer Stump
Caller-Times

Jose "J.R." Zavala is nothing if not persistent.
   Neither the flu nor the common cold nor the occasional scratchy throat ever kept him away from class.
   Ever.
   The Robstown High School graduate never missed a day of school, from kindergarten through 12th grade.
   His collection of certificates and red and white ribbons signifies his relentless pursuit of something that escapes nearly every student: perfect attendance.
   "I just kept going," Zavala said. "I never wanted to miss. They'd give me awards after every year."
   Through Lotspeich Elementary School, Seale Junior High and Robstown High School, Zavala never left early for a doctor's appointment, never had to attend to a family emergency and was never tempted to skip class, not even to avoid a particularly nasty test.
   "I'd see my friends skip class, and the next day I'd see them fall behind and have a hard time catching up. So, I never wanted to skip," he said. "I hate falling behind."
   For his efforts, the Robstown City Council honored Zavala, 18, by declaring Monday as "Jose 'J.R.' Zavala Day."
   "He was the only one in Robstown who had that excellent record," said City Councilman Elias Vasquez. "We were really encouraged to see a young person as dedicated as that. We wanted to raise him up to other kids as an example of perseverance."
   The Texas Education Agency keeps track of overall campus attendance numbers, but does not have statistics on how many students have never missed a day of class, said spokesman Marilyn Kuehlem.
   But Zavala's zeal for school is unusual, she said.
   "It's very rare," Kuehlem said. "We think that's wonderful. I'd personally like to know his secret."
   But Zavala insists there's no real formula to his attendance feat. He simply hates being late, doesn't like to fall behind and pestered his sisters, Janet and Rosemary, to hurry up each morning so they could leave for school.
   "My dad's always telling me every morning that I need to get wherever I'm going 30 minutes early, maybe an hour early, in case I get a flat tire or something," he said. "I never got a flat tire, though. I'm still waiting."
   Zavala said he has been blessed with good health, but managed to go to class even when he felt ill.
   "When I got home, I would go to bed and try to sleep it off," he said. "I'd be ready the next day. I'd always schedule my doctor's appointments late in the day or on weekends."
   His parents, Jose and Ninfa Zavala, always emphasized the importance of school, he said.
   "He's an honor student," Jose Zavala said. "We're really proud of him."
   Zavala, 18, plans to attend Del Mar College this fall, major in business and continue his streak.
   "I don't think I'll miss," he said. "Especially not when you have to pay for classes."



Staff writer Jennifer Stump can be reached at 886-3778 or by e-mail at stumpj@caller.com

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