A.C. Flora High School student held perfect attendance every year since Pre-K

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Not many students can say they have perfect attendance for an entire school year. Well, we spoke to a young man who hasn’t missed a single day of class — ever!

“It was definitely a journey, but mission complete, I feel like,” says A.C. Flora High School Senior Zachery Lott.

Lott has held perfect attendance every single school year — since he started in Pre-k!

Some of that credit, he admits, goes to his mom, Deanna.

“Really it was up to my mom. She made me go to school. She pushed me to go to school everyday. Even if I didn’t want to go, I had no choice but to go to school,” he says.

Deanna says she believes education is the foundation for where a child will end up later in life, and for her, though it was difficult to make it happen sometimes, it was an easy choice.

“At an early age, I told him, we’ve got a job to do. Fortunately I was employed with Richland One for 23 years. So I haven’t missed any days of work as well, so I knew when he started off, I said ok we can do this journey together. I gotta go to work, and you gotta go to school, and we can do it,” she says.

Zach was also a left tackle on the football team all four years of high school.

“I never missed a day of practice. Also, and I’d like to thank Coach Floyd  for making sure I was there,” he jokes.

Deanna says her son’s perfect attendance  gives her a sense of pride.

“I’m very proud of him. Proud of us, because this is a team effort. And we did it, and I’m looking forward to Saturday June 1st at 8 am and looking forward to him and everyone that’s graduating to do great things,” she says.

Zach says he’s thankful for his mom’s support.

“She’s been with me ever since I’ve been born. So I love her. Couldn’t ask for a better mom,” he says.

After graduation Zach says he plans to get his commercial driver’s license.

“I like driving, I’ll drive all day so why not get paid for it?” says Zach, who plans on not missing any days at work, either.