(May 29, 2008)

MATHIS--An entire class of fifth graders in Mathis went to school everyday and were honored on the last day of school for what educators call an amazing feat. 

The students said it started with the goal of perfect attendance for six weeks. After meeting that goal, they set their minds on doing it. for the school year and they did it.

All 20 students in Ms. McBee's class were honored with a medal for perfect attendance at Mathis Intermediate School. They each wore a t-shirt announcing their accomplishment to the world.

"It's so amazing got to have perfect attendance the whole entire class," said Raquel Barrera, a student in the classroom. 

"I've been teaching 26 years and I have never seen this happen, so it's a phenomenon," said Denisa McBee, who was the teacher in the class. 

The children overcame many different challenges to go to school for 175 school days this year. Parents, teachers and students have their own theories on how they accomplished this.

"They overcame funerals (and) they overcame illnesses," said Ruby Rodriguez, a parent of one of the children in the classroom. "They really wanted to accomplish. They wanted to make the school proud."

"Ms. McBee is a great teacher," said Shorty Sanchez, whose grandson was in the class. "She inspired them everyday to come and do their best."

"The parents helped a lot," Barrera said. "The parents were the ones who helped us get to this point."

"The kids are the one that made the commitment and they're the kids got out of bed everyday and came up there feeling not real good sometimes, but they did it and I credit the kids because they wanted to do it," McBee said. 

This class gained national attention throughout the school year for going to school everyday. They were recognized by local and area leaders in recent months. At this ceremony, the governor sent a resolution, honoring the kids.

"Everybody is so happy and we're going to remember this year forever," said Barrera.  

It's an accomplishment educators don't believe will be repeated again for a long time.

--Manuel De La Rosa, Area 3 News, mdelarosa@kiiitv.com