A drive to improve attendance

More than 100 students earned the right to be in the drawing.
By JoANNE VIVIANO
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- It took Sharday Owens a couple of minutes to decide just what it is that makes her go to school every day.
"I don't miss school. I just come," she said, " ... Probably to get my work done, so I won't be behind."
The hard work paid off.
On Friday, the Choffin Career & amp; Technical Center student received a car for her good attendance. Choffin administrators raffled the black 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier as a way to encourage student attendance.
Administrators entered into the contest the name of any student who had an attendance rate of 93 percent or higher. Of Choffin's 492 students, 117 were in the drawing, said Principal Ron Schulay. They also received a pizza and pop lunch.
Sharday, 17, attends part of her day at Chaney High School and part at the career center, where she studies child care. She's missed six days this year.
"She's a perfect lady," said Assistant Principal Ed Dolby, after he drew Sharday's name. "We couldn't have a better representative."
Best in the district
Schulay said Choffin has the highest attendance rate among the district's high schools. The school hit the 91.3 percent mark last month, Dolby said, and has increased attendance 1 percent over last year's number.
The state Department of Education has set a 93 percent standard for Ohio schools, and each school's attendance is rated annually on the state "report cards" that include proficiency test data.
The Youngstown district as a whole had a 92.1 percent rate in 2001-02, and administrators have said a goal is to bring the number up. Other Mahoning Valley schools have had similar events in an effort to increase attendance rates to meet the state's goal.
Boardman Nissan donated the car to Choffin. With more than 100,000 miles, it needed some tender loving care, which the students in Choffin's auto body and auto maintenance classes provided.
Successful
Schulay said that the raffle gained the students' attention and that they will have another next year.
"The kids got involved, enthusiastic," he said. "And the students who worked on the car took a lot of pride in it."
As Sharday walked toward the Cavalier, a fellow student yelled, "Hey, can I borrow your car?" and others laughed.
As it sat waiting to be raffled, its silver wheel covers sparkled and the black paint shined.
Sharday was quiet until she sat in the driver's seat and let out a small laugh. She doesn't have her driver's license yet, just a permit, but she plans to make an appointment with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
"I won't have my parents driving me," said the teen, who also attends modeling school.
Choffin also raffled off other prizes. Brandon Gomez, who had helped refurbish the vehicle, won a new television. Five others were given $20 in certificates to Hollywood Video.
viviano@vindy.com