This article is from page 32 of the 2008-06-24 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 32 JPG
AS the leaving cert comes to a close for another year, one student has more to celebrate than most after complet- ing her entire secondary education without missing a single day.
As Martina Murphy completes her leaving cert music exam at Scoil Mhuire in Ennistymon last Wednes- day, she also brought to a close a six year journey without missing a day.
“I don’t think I did it on purpose re- ally. I just never really had any cause to miss a day. But then I got half way
through Transition Year it kind of dawned on me so I decided to just keep going and never miss a day,” said Martina.
“I started to think about it a bit af- ter that. I got a certificate every year to mark completing the year without missing a day – so I have six of those now.”
Despite taking part in a number of extracurricular activities, Martina still managed to show a face on each and every day.
‘“T never really seemed to get sick. | eaetp rColmecLeeKomAy eh VAup Lan Lec ap NCoAV ol MB KSr DUN
seemed to be an issue for me. I guess I’m really healthy,’ she continued.
“T was in ‘Hell for Leather’, the set dancing show, and we had loads of tours around the country but I was always able to make it in. I remem- ber my grandaunt died and I went to the funeral, but I still came in in the morning for a few classes or on other days I came in for a few hours in the afternoon.
“I guess I value my education. Of course it was to see my friends as well. My friends are great. I really loved secondary school, it was so
much fun.
“I did miss a day 1n primary school. Well, one or maybe even two days in primary school, I’m not really sure. But other than that I was always in.”
With her leaving cert finished Mar- tina is hoping to extend her second level record into third level.
“Tm actually hoping to be a sec- ondary school teacher when I finish in college. The place has obviously had a good impact on me,” she con- tinued. Maybe I can go through my first few years as a secondary school teacher without missing a day?”