Despite having to face the challenges of moving to a new country  in high school, senior Francisca Comparini has really filled her last three years of high school with memories.

Francisca was born and raised in Chile. At the age of fourteen, her family moved from her mother’s native country when her father’s job moved to Miami.

“It was hard because I came three years ago; I didn’t know any English,” Francisca said. “It’s hard to adapt, especially since I started without any  ESOL classes.”

Francisca learned English on her own by just listening to her friends.

“I was forcing myself to keep learning it and taking challenges,” Francisca said. “I just had to work really hard.”

Inspired by her father’s Italian origins, Francisca quickly moved up the ranks to become the president of Italian Honor Society.

“I have Italian nationality and I am really interested in that culture,” Francisca said.

As President, Francisca creates activities and gets the members of the club involved, along with numerous other responsibilities.

Francisca has approximately 370 hours of community service. Some of her hours include volunteering at the school library last summer,  participating in events like “Relay for Life,” reading to sick kids in Jackson Memorial Hospital’s children’s wing and cleaning up trash-filled beaches. Comparini enjoys participating in activities to give back to the community.

“I realized that giving a little of myself to people in need really does make a  huge difference.” Francisca said.

Francisca was in charge of involving Palmetto in the relief for Chilean earthquake. Angie Lima immediately approved the project and gave her permission to submit information on morning announcements

“We managed to get about two full cars of donations from MPSH,” Francisca said

Francisca helps out in numerous ways, whether it is with Italian Honor Society or reaching out to the community, Francisca is truly a Pawsative Panther.