New London — In September 2017, Stacey Rivera Lopez huddled with six family members in the hallway of her home in Caguas, Puerto Rico, away from any windows, as violent windswept rains battered the neighborhood.

Lopez was 13 years old when Hurricane Maria struck the island. While it was a scary time, the New London High School senior figures she was lucky compared to many in Puerto Rico who lost their homes or lives in the devastating storm. Some estimates put the death toll at nearly 3,000 people.

For Lopez, the result of the storm was months of living on generator power and helping to pitch in as neighbors banded together to secure water and repair homes.

It would be months after the storm that she and her stepmother, Yadira Saez, and sister, Aracely Michelle Lopez, would make the move to New London to join her father, Nelson Rivera, who had taken her two stepsisters to live with relatives. The family eventually would find their own place to settle in.

By any measure, Lopez’s time in New London has been successful and started with her work at school.

Margaret Bucaram, the supervisor of English for Speakers of Other Languages, Bilingual Education and World Languages in New London public schools, credits Lopez’s success to a strong work ethic.

“She’s solid. She has a positive attitude and we did recognize from the beginning she had a lot of ability and drive,” Bucaram said. “She’s a pretty amazing girl.”

Lopez recalls her freshman year was a struggle at first, as she pushed herself academically while trying to master the English language. It led her to pursue Advanced Placement and honor classes in her sophomore year, which she said was an attempt to take herself out of her comfort zone and into classes where less Spanish was spoken.

“To have better opportunities, you need to work hard,” Lopez said matter-of-factly.

Lopez seems to have a knack for languages and is in her second year of learning Chinese.

Lopez is now 18 and mature beyond her years. Independence is something instilled in her at a young age and she takes pride in that. She has been working since she was 15, first at summer youth program and for the past three years at Shop Rite in New London, where her two stepsisters also work. She started as a cashier but has since worked her way up in just about every department.

While working, she found time to make the honor roll, play varsity volleyball for three years and get involved in different clubs, such as Latinos in Action and the Multicultural Club. She skipped her junior year in volleyball during the COVID-19 pandemic to focus on work, earning enough to buy a car before she obtained her driver’s license.

High School volleyball coach Missy Parker called Lopez “a leader on and off the court.”

“She puts in the time and effort it takes to be the best volleyball player she can be and more importantly, the best student. It has been a pleasure coaching her and she deserves recognition,” Parker said.

In her spare time, she crochets. This summer she will start a second job at the Marshalls department store in New London and a summer college credit program at the University of Connecticut.

Lopez also spent time in high school working as a teaching assistant with Spanish and bilingual teacher Angela Peralta.

Lopez eventually would earn a Connecticut Seal of Biliteracy, which recognizes high school graduates who have obtained a level of proficiency in more than one language. Speaking from experience, Lopez said Spanish speakers are at a disadvantage having to juggle English classes while trying to keep up academically. It just takes some extra work.

“When you’re given an opportunity to succeed and improve, you need to take it,” Lopez said. “That was my position back then. I wanted to go to college. I wanted to be successful and learn the language. If you don’t feel uncomfortable, you’re not learning. I chose AP and honor classes because I wanted to be one of the top students.”

By the time she graduates, Lopez will be among the top 10 in her class. She also will be living on her own. Her father recently moved back to Puerto Rico after becoming grandfather. Her stepmother is planning to move back after graduation and Lopez has had time to settle into a new apartment she will be sharing with her two stepsisters.

In the fall, Lopez will be commuting to UConn's Avery Point campus in Groton, close enough to maintain her job. She earned a scholarship to pay her tuition. While she had not yet declared a major, Lopez said she plans to focus on biology, the sciences and perhaps business classes.

“I wanted to become a nurse but figured maybe I’m not good enough with blood,” Lopez said. “I still want to help people and I still think I’d like to work at a hospital, maybe in administration.”

The percentage of Spanish-speaking people in the medical field is lower than it should be in the United States, she said.

“I feel like I’m in a position to use my voice to help the Hispanic community,” she said.

Lopez said part of her focus will be giving back to the community that has welcomed her with open arms.

“I love New London," she said. "I feel like it's home and really love the people and opportunities and how everybody gets together."

g.smith@theday.com