By Nicole Hamilton
The Cincinnati Enquirer

On May 17, the Enquirer introduced readers to Colerain High School senior Jennifer Holterman, who was honored at a school awards ceremony for never missing a day of school over a 13-year span (K-12).

Since the article published, we've found 11 other local graduating seniors who have never missed a day of school. They are:

David Fairbanks, 17, Purcell Marian High School

The Purcell Marian High School graduate never missed a day of school despite being injured in sports. In fact, the Walnut Hills resident says playing sports is part of what kept him healthy - having to eat right and exercise to stay in shape. The football and baseball player's future plans include continuing his education at Union College or Wittenberg College. He wants to be a secondary school teacher.

Christopher Hamblin, 18, Hamilton High School:Christopher plans to enlist in the U.S. Marines, where he'll train for a career as an auto technician.

He credits his father, Claude Hamblin, for his perfect attendance.

"With me being in sports, I'd go to school so I could practice," said Christopher, who participated in football and wrestling. "I really like sports. My Dad always told me if I didn't go to school, I couldn't go to practice. There's no sense staying home from school when all of your friends are there."

Brent McCreary, 18, Fairfield High School:

The Fairfield teen attributes his perfect attendance to wanting to maintain high grades and having teachers who made learning fun and challenging. A little sibling rivalry didn't hurt. Brent's brother, Brian, missed just one day in his 13 years. Brent was determined to top him.

Brent, who has a 4.1 GPA, will continue his education at Miami University in Oxford, where he will study mathematics. He plans on being a secondary mathematics teacher.

Mark Reed, 18, Warren City Career Center:

Mark credits his mother for his record.

"I attribute my attendance to my mom getting me up every day and making me be on time. After awhile it just got to be a habit.''

The Lebanon resident plans on attending the University of Northern Ohio in Lima, where he will major in diesel mechanics.

Christopher Sherman, 19, Loveland High School:

Debbie Sherman says it's simple to explain her son's perfect attendance. "Christopher has always been someone who has wanted to go to school," she says. "You couldn't ask for a better kid."

He received a watch for his 13 years of perfect attendance at a high school awards ceremony May 28.

Christopher of Loveland plans to enroll this fall at the University of Cincinnati's Raymond Walters College, majoring in engineering.

Valerie Sizemore, 18, Dater High School: A member of the first graduating class at Dater High School, Valerie has been an inspiration to her family. Born three months premature and weighing just 1 pound 7 ounces, she lived the first five months of her life in the intensive-care unit at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

The Sayler Park resident credits her perfect mark to luck and getting sick only on weekends, holidays and vacations.

Valerie, who wants to be a veterinarian, will take classes this fall at Cincinnati State.

Renee Sydnor, 18, Simon Kenton High School:

Renee of Independence says that after not missing school during elementary and middle school, she decided not to ruin her record by working hard in high school. The cheerleader with a 3.85 GPA says, "I just tried really hard. I didn't want to miss because I'd have to catch up."

She plans to study nursing this fall at Northern Kentucky University.

Michael Vernier, 18, Lakota East High School:

The West Chester resident will attend Ohio State University, where he plans to double major in computer science and mechanical engineering.

"I love to learn," Michael said. "And staying at home wasn't much fun."

Bryan Wells, 19, Milan (Ind.) High School:

"After my fifth or sixth year of (perfect attendance), I decided I was going to make it a goal," Bryan said. "Most of the time, I got sick on weekends and holidays and breaks."

Bryan plans to study horticulture this fall at Cincinnati State.

David Welsh, 18, New Miami Jr.-Sr. High School:David's perfect-attendance record is a tribute to his late grandmother, Charlotte Freeman of Hamilton.

"I went through all of elementary school, and then my Grandma made a huge deal of it. Whenever she talked to people that's the first thing she mentioned. She passed away my sophomore year. After she passed away, with two years to go, I knew I was going to seal the deal."

David plans to attend Miami University-Hamilton, where he'll major in early childhood education.

Lisa Wettrick, 18, Oldenburg Academy:The Shelbyville, Ind., teen will attend Purdue University, and major in pharmacy.

She credited her streak to her parents. "They always instilled in me that if I go for something, go for it all the way. It seemed if I was really sick, it was always on the weekends or in the summer. I have a pretty high pain tolerance."

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E-mail nhamilton@enquirer.com