It all began in September of 2007. Dedham`s Kara Kilroy was finally starting school. A couple of years earlier, older brother Corey was off, as his journey through the Dedham Public School system began, leaving Kara home anticipating his return each day.
While waiting, Kara would dutifully put together books, paper, markers, and crayons and “play school.” Corey would come home and share each day`s adventure, and Kara couldn`t wait for her turn to begin.
Looking around the crowded gym at the ECEC (Dedham`s Early Childhood Education Center) that day, many of the boys and girls were nervous to be separated from their parents for the first time, but not Kara, she couldn`t wait for that first school bell to ring and for her own adventure to begin!
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Fast forward nine years, and we find ourselves sitting in the gym of the Dedham Middle School, surrounded by many of the same parents, waiting for these now young men and women to graduate from grade 8 and set off for high school.
Throughout this journey, we have shared many milestones and have had our share of both good and at times challenging experiences along the way. One thing that has remained consistent though, was Kara Kilroy and her love of school.
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As the DMS graduation ceremony was about to come to a close and 231 students had received their certificates of graduation, interim Principal Dr. Margo Fraczek called Superintendent Michael Welch and DMS guidance counselor Kevin Quaranto back to the stage for one last recognition matter.
As the full house listened intently, Dr. Fraczek called for Kara Kilroy to return to the stage and announced with great pride, that this soon to be freshman (DHS class of 2020) had just completed an incredible feat – perfect attendance, grades K-8. The applause was thunderous as Kara received a beautiful wooden plaque commemorating her 1,620 consecutive days of school, not to mention receiving all A`s in every subject, every term, every year while at Dedham Middle School.
The only other person to have attained such a feat, is ironically her older brother Corey, who last week finished his sophomore year at Dedham High with perfect attendance – grades K-10 - which now means 1,980 consecutive days of school.
Congratulations to both and our best wishes for continued success.
Story and Photos by: Joe Kilroy
