RUMFORD — At a school assembly, Mountain Valley High School Principal Matt Gilbert recognized seven students for perfect attendance. The previous week he acknowledged graduating senior Conner Woods for perfect attendance for all four years.

The underclassmen with perfect attendance included Kevin Cogley, Peter Cogley, Abby Mazza, Natasha Munzner, Jacob Sinclair, Conner Steele and Kelli Trenoweth. They received a certificate and free admittance to all regular-season sporting events for the next school year.

“This is the largest group of perfect attendance awards in the ten years I’ve been here. I thank them for dedication and work ethic,” said Gilbert.

The motivation for the students to attend school every day varies.

Kevin Cogley, junior, explained his motivation is “seeing my friends.”

Younger brother Peter Cogley, sophomore, enjoys the social aspects of school but also looks to his future.

“I know how important education is for college, jobs and my future. Also, I enjoy coming to school so I can have fun with friends and compete in sports,” he said.

Junior Natasha Munzner is driven by her goals for the future.

“What motivated me the most to achieve perfect attendance are my personal goals. All the goals I have set for myself for the future, I plan to achieve. Attending school every day to learn new things to further my education is just a stepping stone to reach those goals,” she said.

Kelli Trenoweth, junior, has a more practical motivation.

“I know if I don’t come to school I’ll fall behind in my classes. I need to stay on track if I want to go to college,” she said.

While each of these students has good reason to attend school regularly, that motivation may have come from lessons learned at home.

“I set a good example for them by going to work every day. I tell them how important it is to go to school every day to get ready for when it is time for them to go out in the world and get a good job. I tell them I don’t take days off from work unless it is absolutely necessary,” said Stormy Cogley, mother of Kevin and Peter.

Linda Woods raised her boys to attend school. Her son, Conner Woods, had perfect attendance for all four years. She points not only to academics, but also social contacts.

“School attendance is very important because you miss instruction time when you’re not there. It is very hard to get caught up when you miss school. I think the social part of being in school every day is also important,” said Woods.

Woods offered a solution to avoid the “I don’t feel good enough to go to school” syndrome.

“My children knew that if they were home sick from school, they were in bed and there was no TV or electronics,” she said.