Ms. Hopper began her long association with flag handlers in east Tennessee as a member of the Daniel Boone High School color guard. She spent three marching seasons and four winter guard seasons performing at the high school level before graduating to pursue a career in the fashion industry as a student at East Tennessee State University. During her time at ETSU, she performed with the independent winter guard group Nuendo out of Chattanooga, TN. Since graduating high school, Varina has instructed various other school programs in Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree from ETSU, she met and married Heath Hopper. Currently, she is enjoying spending time with her daughter, Samara.