VHHS senior celebrating perfect attendance

Through a combination of good health, good timing and dedication, Vernon Hills High School senior Kelly Firnbach is nearing a remarkable milestone in her educational career.

Firnbach, 18, of Vernon Hills, has never missed a day of school. Going back to her days at Hawthorn Elementary School South and then at Hawthorn Middle and Hawthorn Middle School South, Firnbach’s attendance record doesn’t include a single blemish.

Her explanation is simple.

“I’m very healthy,” Firnbach said. “The couple times I did get sick was during summer or on the weekends. It worked out well.”

The few times Firnbach was sick, the illnesses weren’t serious, she said. She’s never had traditional childhood maladies like chickenpox or the measles.

“I’ve never had more than a 24-hour-type sickness,” she said modestly.

Libertyville-Vernon Hills Area High School District 128 spokeswoman Mary Todoric estimated most students miss between five and eight days of school each year. She’s never heard of a student having perfect attendance for 13 years.

“This is truly amazing,” Todoric said in an email.

Firnbach attributes her good health to staying active. When she graduates June 2, she’ll do so as a multisport athlete.

This year’s squads include cross country, basketball and track.

Genes likely play a part, too.

“We’re fortunate that as a family, we’re pretty healthy,” said DeAnn Firnbach, Kelly’s mom. “We don’t get sick often.”

Firnbach’s younger sister, Kasey, has her own attendance streak. An eighth-grader at Hawthorn Middle South, she’s never missed a day of school, either.

Kelly Firnbach realized she had a perfect attendance record late in middle school or early in high school. Keeping the streak alive was important, she said.

“I’m really dedicated to learning,” Firnbach said. “I’ve always liked going to school and enjoy it.”

Next fall, Firnbach will head to the University of Iowa. She hasn’t chosen a major but is considering communications or education.

She hopes her streak will continue at college.

“Only time will tell,” she said.