Never Missed a Day: D’Iberville High Senior Celebrated for 13 Years of Perfect Attendance

HARRISON COUNTY, Miss (WXXV) – At D’Iberville High School, showing up matters — and no one knows that better than senior Z’aandria Downs, who was recently honored for a rare and inspiring achievement: perfect attendance every year since kindergarten.

That’s right. Thirteen years. Not a single day missed.

“It feels good because I never would’ve thought that I would be recognized for something like this,” Z’aandria said. “I know it’s an accomplishment, but I didn’t think other people would take it as important.”

Z’aandria’s record of attendance is impressive on its own, but it’s just one part of what makes her exceptional. She’s also the school’s Homecoming Queen, Prom Queen, Miss DHS, a Hall of Fame student, and a respected leader in the JROTC program — all while holding down an after-school job and maintaining a strong academic presence.

“I have ROTC. I’m a leader there, so I have morning meetings. Then there’s school, practice, and work. I always communicated with my boss so I could balance it all. It would be school, practice, work, home — and then repeat.”

Her commitment to education was rooted at home. Z’aandria credits her father for instilling the mindset that led her to the classroom each and every day.

“Sick, lame or lazy — you’re going to school. That was something my dad told me every single day,” she said.

And even on the days she felt tired or overwhelmed, her mother’s consistency gave her the extra motivation to push through.

“Every morning we’d wake up at 5:15 a.m. — that’s my momma’s time,” Z’aandria said. “Some days I was tired, but I think it was her energy that gave me motivation. She made me feel like I was ready for school. Eventually, I stopped saying ‘I don’t want to go.’ I ended up loving it.”

Principal Cheryl Broadus says Z’aandria’s humility and dedication have made a lasting impact on the school community.

“What I love most about Z’aandria is the fact that she’s humble,” Broadus said. “Even in interviews, she didn’t share everything that makes her unique. She’s our Hall of Fame, Homecoming Queen, Miss DHS, Prom Queen, and a JROTC leader. Her teachers love her. Everybody loves her. She’s a force to be reckoned with, and we are going to miss her. She’s a special, special being.”

Z’aandria says part of the joy of attending school every day was never missing the small, special moments that others might miss when they’re absent.

“Sometimes my friends would be out and the next day they’d ask, ‘What did I miss?’ And it would be little things — like the teacher playing music in class, something out of the ordinary,” she said. “They’d be upset they didn’t get to see it. But I did — because I was there. Every single day.”

Now, as she prepares to graduate, Z’aandria plans to attend college, join the ROTC program there, and pursue a degree in forensic science.

“High school is hard and it’s rough,” she said. “But once you find your balance, set a goal and a plan, and keep a positive attitude — you can achieve anything. That’s what I believe.”

And for 13 years straight, Z’aandria Downs has proven just that.

We here at WXXV congratulate Z’aandria Downs and wish her nothing but success going forward.