SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Seniors Annie Rafeld and Cami Cunningham are shining examples of a senior class that has made an impact on the school and the entire Troubie community. On graduation night, they will receive the ultimate honor as the chosen representatives for their class. Rafeld, who is from Granite Bay, is the valedictorian, while Cunningham, a Yuba City product, is the class salutatorian.

Both were student-athletes during their careers. Rafeld played water polo and was a member of the swimming team during her Troubadour career. She was named the water polo team’s Most Inspirational Player at the awards banquet this past fall.

“Anne brought tremendous enthusiasm to training, the games and the overall spirit,” said Head Coach Heather Moody. “She was always a great role model for training super hard. She worked to improve and did to the point where she contributed.”

She scored nine goals on the season for the Sac-Joaquin Section runner-up team and posted a time of 29.47 in the 50 freestyle at the recent Delta League Swimming Championships.

“Obviously, I was excited and honored to be recognized for it because it is based on being a well-rounded person,” said Rafeld.

Rafeld, the daughter of Michael and Cynthia Rafeld, was also a member of the Senior Kairos Retreat Team and a Christian Service Leader while posting a 4.31 weight cumulative grade point average.

The top 10 percent (28 girls) have the opportunity to be considered for valedictorian based on their application and speech.

“Anne represents the best of what we have here at St. Francis,” said Principal Theresa Rodgers. “She has a beautiful heart and smile and she is a light. She has got it all – Faith, Excellence, Leadership and Service. There is a depth to her that will show in her speech about her faith that is really powerful.”

Rafeld is excited about the opportunity to serve this role for her class.

“I am nervous,” said Rafeld. “I hope they can relate to my speech. I did not make it about myself but about our class moving forward. I hope they like it as much as the effort I put into it.”

She valued her experiences in athletics over her career especially in the pool with the water polo team. By competing in both fall and spring sports, she had an opportunity to engage with her classmates with her sports participation all year.

“Personally, water polo was my favorite part because it was such a team thing,” said Rafeld. “I really value team work. It was an honor to be on such a close team. I am really going to miss them. The team aspect made me excited about athletics at St. Francis, wanting to do more and get involved.”

Cunningham was nominated for the salutatorian honor by her classmates and chosen from among three students based on her speech.

“There is a quick-wit to her and a mischievousness that is compelling,” said Rodgers, who helped supervise both in the speech preparation. “People are drawn to her and her lens on the world is very unique. It will show in her speech. Through the lightness and humor, there is a depth to her with her faith and intellect and she loves the school.”

She also was a member of the Senior Retreat Team and was a student leader on Kairos 52. She posted a 4.32 grade point average.

“To write a salutatorian speech, you have to be funny and have the heart-touching moments while looking back on the four years of St. Francis,” said Cunningham. “It was very reflective and fun to write. I enjoyed it and I hope they like it.”

Cunningham, a four-year member of the swimming team under Head Coach Richard Levin, was honored by the announcement.

“When I heard, it made my day,” said Cunningham. “I was so excited. It made it all the more special because it is your class picking you. It is such an honor. I get to represent all of you (my classmates) and reminisce about all of our years together.”

Cunnningham, the daughter of Charles Cunningham and Troy Devine and sister of Cassie ’17, was a competitive swimmer before coming to campus, but she really exceled in the pool for the Troubadours. Swimming helped her find her place on campus.

“I swam competitively before high school but I was not really involved in St. Francis until I joined the swim team,” said Cunningham. “It is where I started forming my really good friendships.”

She will swim in the Sac-Joaquin Section Championships this week in the 500 freestyle after finishing eighth at the Delta League Championships.

“Coach Richard really pushed me to do my best and I dropped so many times,” said Cunningham. “High school, while not as competitive, is so much more fun and makes you want to do it more. It is such a great group of girls.”

Levin has coached her during her entire career at SF.

“I have watched her grow as a person and a swimmer,” said Levin. “She is without a doubt our spiritual leader of our team, leading the team in prayer before every meet. She is one of our team captains, selfless and a vocal leader who also leads by example. I could not speak more highly of her. We are really going to miss her.”

Both students credit their overall St. Francis experiences with forming them into the women they are upon graduation. Rafeld is attending California-Berkeley, while Cunningham is headed to UC San Diego.

“I don’t think I would be as out-going or as good of a person,” said Cunningham. “This school pushes you to do your best in everything you do whether it is academics or athletics while being a person contributing to the world and making sure you are making a positive impact.”

Cunningham will major in physiology and neurology as part of the biological science program at UCSD. She plans a pre-med track with a plan to seek a career in psychology. And she is not done with swimming with plans to walk-on to the swimming team with the Tritons.

Rafeld will continue a family tradition at Cal after considering UCLA.

“My whole family has gone there, including my brother,” said Rafeld. “My cousin goes there and another cousin will be in my class as a freshman. Cal has such a good location, closer to home. I have been there a lot and I love the campus. It is where I feel the most comfortable.”

While undecided, she will enter the fall in the College of Letters and Sciences.

With their collegiate futures set, both are looking forward to graduation night.

“I am going to be really nervous leading up to my speech but it is going to be bittersweet,” said Rafeld. “It will be weird moving on but at the same time I am super excited about it because I am really looking forward to college.”

Cunningham shares the feelings.

“I am a little nervous and I will probably feel sad leaving everyone behind,” said Cunningham. “But I like focusing on the happier side of things. I am going to feel so happy not only for myself but for everybody moving on to a whole new experience. There is so much excitement. But I will probably cry.”

There is one fact both can’t deny. St. Francis Catholic High School prepared them for their new journeys.

“It prepared me for after school and was a great experience meeting new friends and forming bonds,” said Rafeld. “It showed me who my true friends were and allowed for those relationships to foster.”

“Without St. Francis, I don’t know where I would have ended up,” said Cunningham. “I made such a good decision coming here.”

St. Francis was blessed to have them both.