Hopper, Flori earn top student honors at St. Raphael Academy

By DONNA KENNY KIRWAN

PAWTUCKET — One excels on athletic fields and the other shines on the stage, but the two top students of the graduating class of St. Raphael Academy share a commitment to doing their personal best.

Christina Hopper is the valedictorian of the class of 2009. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Hopper of Coventry, she will be attending Providence College in the fall, where she plans to major in accounting.
Hopper's academic achievements have earned her memberships in the National Honor Society and Rhode Island Honor Society, and she was also named as a Moore Scholar. In addition, she was a class officer for three years.
Hopper also did her school proud in sports, demonstrating her leadership abilities as captain of the Saints soccer, basketball and softball teams.
Jessica Flori  is salutatorian of the graduating class. The daughter of Richard Flori of Warwick, she plans on attending Wheaton College in September, where she will pursue a degree in psychology and political science.
Flori is a member of the National and Rhode Island Honor Society as well as the Spanish Honor Society. She has also been involved in the LaSallian Youth, Liturgical Choir, and Gala Chorus and participated in Model Legislature for three years.
Flori also enjoys acting and has participated in numerous school productions with the Saints Drama Club.
Since freshman year, Hopper has been the top-ranked student with Flori in the number two position. While Hopper noted that she didn't come to St. Ray's necessarily planning to be valedictorian, she said that after learning she was in the number one spot, “I wanted to keep it.” She added that her brother, Douglas, who graduated last year, was also very supportive of her efforts.
Of her impressive ranking, Flori said simply, “I just tried my best, and my best brought me here.” She added that her sister, Rayne, who graduated in 1993, was also a top-ranked student.
Both Hopper and Flori say they are self-motivated and know the importance of prioritizing. Hopper said that the winter sports season was always the hardest time for her, as she tried to juggle games and practices with school work. “There were times I would have a basketball game at 7 p.m and not get home until 10 p.m., and then have to start homework,” she said.
Flori agreed, saying that with her drama club work and other activities, “There were times when I was at school 40 hours a week.” But, she adds, “I find that the more stuff I do, the more I have control over.”
Their advice for other aspiring valedictorians and salutatorians? “Definitely do all of your homework. That's where you learn the material and you can sort of teach yourself before the class,” said Hopper.
Flori advised, “Ask for help if you don't understand something. It's the only way to learn. You shouldn't try to slide by.”