• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • Living

This valedictorian hasn't missed a day of school since pre-K

1:17
KABC
National headlines from ABC News
Vincent Miller/ Nellie A. Thornton High School
ByNicole Pelletiere
June 25, 2020, 8:16 AM

A valedictorian is celebrating her high academic title in addition to having never been absent from class.

Ashanti Palmer recently graduated from Nellie A. Thornton High School in Mount Vernon, New York, with perfect attendance. The 17-year-old said she hasn't missed school since pre-K, and intends to keep it going throughout college.

"There were days when I didn't feel like going to school, but I knew if you missed a day then you were behind, so I pushed through," Ashanti told "Good Morning America." "[My friends] know I hate being behind in my work so it was normal for me to show up."

Ashanti is leaving high school with a 99.08 average. She's been accepted to 18 colleges and awarded over $430,000 in scholarships.

Ashanti Palmer, valedictorian of Nellie A. Thornton High School in Mount Vernon, New York, is headed to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, to study biomedical engineering on the pre-med track.
Vincent Miller/ Nellie A. Thornton High School

Editor’s Picks

Twin sisters become valedictorian and salutatorian at same high school

  • Jun 12, 2020

Valedictorian in and out of homelessness has sights on becoming FBI agent

  • Jun 04, 2020

15-year-old to graduate with a high school diploma and college degree in same week

  • May 25, 2020

Related Articles

MORE: Valedictorian's anti-racism message sparks controversy: 'I wanted a wake-up call'

Ashanti was a member of the National Honor Society and participated in a mentoring program where she and other girls were paired with career-driven women. Her favorite subject is math, and she took several AP courses.

When she isn't focused on academics, the teen reads and writes poetry, watches anime, and listens to rap and dancehall music.

Her principal, Dr. Evelyn Collins, said Ashanti was always committed.

Ashanti Palmer graduated from Nellie A. Thornton High School in Mount Vernon, New York, with perfect attendance. The 17-year-old said she hasn't missed school since pre-k, and intends to keep it going throughout college.
Vincent Miller/ Nellie A. Thornton High School

"She's amazing," Collins told "GMA." "I told our superintendent, 'We have a student who's never missed school and who has been on the honor roll since kindergarten.' How do we celebrate this child so other students can see that it's possible? She stayed on the path. She stayed on the journey. It's phenomenal."

Ashanti is headed to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, to study biomedical engineering on the pre-med track.

Ashanti Palmer, valedictorian of Nellie A. Thornton High School in Mount Vernon, New York, is headed to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, to study biomedical engineering on the pre-med track.
Vincent Miller/ Nellie A. Thornton High School

Related Articles

MORE: These school bus drivers paid a touching tribute to their graduating seniors

WATCH: Spelman valedictorian, 1st-generation college student aims to become HBCU professor

VIDEO: Spelman valedictorian, 1st-generation college student aims to become HBCU professor
2:53
Kendra Grissom encountered many challenges, but her hard work paid off and she graduated as Spelman College’s valedictorian.

Her advice to rising students: "Focus on your own definition of success."

"Look at someone and see inspiration, but never see envy," she said. "We all have our own paths to take. Be focused on that goal."

Ashanti Palmer graduated from Nellie A. Thornton High School in Mount Vernon, New York, with perfect attendance. The 17-year-old said she hasn't missed school since pre-k, and intends to keep it going throughout college.
Ashanti Palmer

When asked if she had saved her perfect attendance certificates over the years, Ashanti laughed.

"One for every marking period," she replied. "My mom keeps everything."

Related Topics

  • Education

Editor’s Picks

Twin sisters become valedictorian and salutatorian at same high school

  • Jun 12, 2020

Valedictorian in and out of homelessness has sights on becoming FBI agent

  • Jun 04, 2020

15-year-old to graduate with a high school diploma and college degree in same week

  • May 25, 2020

Up Next in Living—

July's full buck moon is arriving: What it means for your zodiac

July 10, 2025

Nonprofit reunites Camp Mystic campers with 'lost' stuffed toys

July 10, 2025

Woman says ChatGPT helped her pay off over $11K in debt

July 10, 2025

Man bikes across US as father undergoes cancer treatment, fulfilling promises to each other

July 9, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News