Pilgrim senior graduating with perfect attendance since kindergarten

Lenita Laroche accomplished what few other Warwick students have done when she left Pilgrim High School Friday – she hadn’t missed a day of school since entering kindergarten. Based on a school year of 180 days, that’s 2,340 days without missing school.

“I just wanted to make sure that I really did it,” Lenita told the Beacon Friday. Her father called about three weeks ago to report that she had perfect attendance, but Lenita did not want to talk about her record until if was official on the last day of school.

She said she wasn’t thinking about attendance until fourth grade. When she realized she had a perfect record, she started making a conscientious effort not to miss class.

What about illness?

Lenita said she had pneumonia once and bronchitis a couple of times, but that happened during school breaks.

She said she shared her accomplishment with classmates and friends and some just don’t believe her. Her father, however, checked with the school administration to confirm everything.

Lenita, who works at the Meadowbrook Stop & Shop, plans to attend Easter Connecticut State University in the fall.