SHANNON
by KIM HILSENBECK
Thomas Shannon, 17, of Buda has a perfect school attendance record at Hays High School, according to his mom, Erin Ellzey. His record at Hays High was verified by Esther Leal, attendance secretary.
Thomas was honored this past Sunday at the Senior Award Ceremony with a cord and certificate. He will wear the cord at graduation on May 31.
“Thomas has worked really hard to achieve this honor,” said Ellzey. “He’s just really never been sick. He even made it through the Swine Flu a few years ago.”
Barring any illness or other incident preventing him from getting to school between now and then, Thomas will hold the distinction of being the only graduating senior from Hays High to make it through all four years with no sick days or other absences, save from excused doctor’s appointments. And even then, Ellzey said he generally only missed a few hours.
Ellzey said Thomas has a perfect school attendance record going all the way back to kindergarten. Thomas attended Boone Elementary and Covington Middle School in Austin.
She said she recently got the verification records proving her son’s attendance record to Hays CISD officials. Ellzey said the district would not announce Thomas’ achievement at graduation, but she convinced them to at least honor him at the award ceremony.
“I thought he deserved to be recognized for his hard work,” said Ellzey.
