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American Morning

Tennessee Student Completes School Without Missing a Day

Aired May 07, 2001 - 11:49   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Most of us while growing up would have done anything to probably get out of a day of school. But not Nicholas Seay. He graduates from high school in six days after logging a perfect attendance record for 12 years straight; 14 if you include preschool and kindergarten.

Well, Nick is joining us now by phone from Gibbs High School in Knoxville, Tennessee. Hi, Nick.

NICHOLAS SEAY, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT: Hey.

PHILLIPS: So, tell me how this started. There was a competition with your brother.

SEAY: Yes, me and him, we were just competing to see who could stay in school for the longest.

PHILLIPS: OK, and obvious, you're going to win. Has he missed a day?

SEAY: He missed two. He's older than I am.

PHILLIPS: Oh, OK, alright, Now, do you think that your grades are better because you never missed a day of school?

SEAY: Not, really. I could probably do better. But...

PHILLIPS: But why do it? Why show up every single day?

SEAY: I didn't feel the need to miss a day.

PHILLIPS: Very good, well, what would be your advice to other students? Would you tell them the same thing, that they missing out if they don't go to school every day?

SEAY: All they need to do is get an education and graduate and go on to college, you know, and just go for what what they want to do.

PHILLIPS: Have your friends ever teased you or given you a hard time?

SEAY: Not really.

PHILLIPS: They've been supportive. SEAY: Yes.

PHILLIPS: Have they ever tried to talk you into ditching?

SEAY: No. Well, one time for a field day they tried to talk me into it, but my mom wouldn't let me.

PHILLIPS: So you were never tempted just to take one of those "Ferris Bueller's Day Off."

SEAY: Yes.

PHILLIPS: So, what did you do when your friends tried to coax you? Did you say no way, I'm going for the perfect record?

SEAY: Yes, and that and the money.

PHILLIPS: The money. Talk us to about the money.

SEAY: My mom and dad said that they would give me $100 for every year that I didn't miss a day.

PHILLIPS: Really, so what did you do with the money? Have you been saving?

SEAY: No, I get it at the end.

PHILLIPS: OK, what are you going to do with it?

SEAY: Well, I'm going to Panama City right after I graduate, so I'll probably take most of it down there with me.

PHILLIPS: Oh, boy. All right, we won't want to miss about that trip, Nick. Congratulations,

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