David Gelhardt's father Mark

had perfect attendance for 12 years of schooling, first through twelfth

grade. David, a graduating senior at Starr's Mill High School, just bested

his father with 13 years of perfect attendance, thanks to kindergarten.

What makes this feat most impressive

is that because Gelhardt's father served in the military, the family moved

several times and none of the moves interfered with his stellar achievement.

Gelhardt attended kindergarten

while his father was stationed at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany.

It wasn't until he reached the fifth grade that he found out about his

father's achievement and realized that he was on his way to surpassing

that mark. Over the years Gelhardt attended schools in Augusta, Ga., and

Lakewood, Va., as well as Braelinn Elementary School, half of first grade

through half of fifth grade, and Starr's Mill High School, since his freshman

year. All moves took place over winter or summer breaks or weekends.

Gelhardt was also never too

sick to attend classes. Though he had his share of minor colds or upset

stomachs, he was still able to get to school every day. There was one

scare in the eighth grade when he had pneumonia but the doctor OK'd going

to school as long as he sat out of physical education and was excused

from homework for the duration of the illness.

In addition to his perect attendance

mark, Gelhardt has participted in the Starr's Mill Marching Band and student

government along with various clubs. He was student government vice president

this year and has been very involved in school activities. At a recent

honor ceremony he was presented with a certificate marking perfect attendance

for the year and a plaque honoring 13 years of perfect attendance.

"I was lucky," said

Gelhardt. "I was never really sick, never had any broken bones and

never had any disciplinary problems keeping me out of school."

While admitting that it was

sometimes hard to go to school every day, he credits the encouragement

of his family, friends and teachers. One tough time came not too long

ago: Senior Skip Day. While many of his classmates took the day off, Gelhardt

attended all of his classes with a few other students who couldn't afford

to miss a class if they wanted to exempt some of their finals.

Despite his record being broken,

Gelhardt's father is very proud of his son's accomplishment. "If

I ever have kids, they're going to have it even tougher," said Gelhardt.

"They are going to have to have perfect attendance through college."

As for college, Gelhardt will

attend Auburn University in the fall but says his days of perfect attendance

are probably behind him. Gelhardt is interested in majoring in engineering

but first there's a summer to enjoy, a time without any roll calls or

tardy bells.

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