Misael Cerna set out to achieve perfect attendance and do well in school. June 4, he’ll walk the stage at Freeman Coliseum — ranked number six in his class.
SAN ANTONIO — For Misael Cerna, showing up to school wasn’t just a habit. It was a family tradition.
The Harlandale High School senior just wrapped up his final days in the classroom with a perfect attendance record spanning 13 years — never missing a single day from kindergarten through graduation.
“Going to school every day, it still went by super quick to be honest,” Cerna said.
Cerna is the youngest in a family that’s made perfect attendance a legacy. His older brother, Ihsan, also achieved the rare feat. His mother, Cristina Cerna, set the standard years ago — and even taught Misael calculus during his time at Harlandale.
“Sometimes I didn’t want to go to school, but I knew I had to commit to it because my mom did it,” Misael said. “She had no complaints when she did it, so I feel like I had to step up.”
The Cerna family spans three generations of Harlandale graduates — and all became Longhorns at the University of Texas at Austin.
“We would have followed him anywhere,” said Misael’s father, Joshua Cerna.
But Misael didn’t just aim to be present — he aimed to excel.
He set out to achieve perfect attendance and do well in school. Wednesday June 4, he’ll walk the stage at Freeman Coliseum — ranked number six in his class. His older brother graduated tenth.
For his parents, perfect attendance was never just about academics. It was about discipline, consistency and setting a strong example.
“They get the instruction every day, they get to talk to their peers every day, they get to interact with their teacher every day — and they never miss anything,” said Cristina.
“It instills a work ethic,” Joshua added. “You show up every day, you’re gonna get paid every day.”
They also believe daily attendance supports schools themselves — especially in areas where enrollment is declining.
“For districts, especially in urban areas, having somebody in school every day does help,” Joshua added. “At least they’re one small part.”
Now, the numbers speak for themselves: 13 years, zero absences, one bright future.
As Misael prepares to join his older brother at the University of Texas, his father reflects on the bittersweet moment of watching both sons take flight.
“A friend of mine told me, they were never yours to keep. They were only yours to shape and guide. So we have to let him go,” said Joshua. “When times are hard or you’re missing home or if school is a little bit overwhelming, fix your crown. You’re a Cerna. You were put here by someone higher than us that throws stars to the night and only He can tell the sun when to shine. He put you here for a reason and He does not make mistakes.”
Misael leaves Harlandale with scholarship funds, donated by alumni and a clear path ahead. He plans to study Public Relations at UT Austin — and didn’t apply anywhere else.
His dream? To one day work in sports.
