Francisco keeps her feet moving
Megan Francisco, a Grade 12 student at Princess Margaret, active in social initiatives both at home and abroad
Think you are busy? Meet Megan Francisco, a Grade 12 Student at Princess Margaret Secondary School who is the Rotary Student of the Month for January.
She is happiest when she is busy and involved – she hates wasting time.
Francisco takes school seriously, achieving excellent grades; but her commitment goes far beyond the formal program where you would expect hard work.
Before scheduled classes start in the morning, she is already active in the school jazz band playing alto saxophone, or in leadership classes chairing a weekly meeting with students from six different grades as part of the student-run Global Awareness Group.
Their latest project regards implementing a new recycling program at school.
She also devotes time tutoring middle school students in math.
“Megan is really easy to work with. She is positive and always strives to do whatever the task is to the best of her ability. Megan is involved in a variety of activities around the school,” says Don Grant, her music teacher.
Fundraising for many causes, but particularly to support an orphanage in Africa, brings Francisco into action.
She produced a show at the Cleland Theatre last year raising $5,000 to buy construction materials. Megan spent a month in Tanzania last summer, having been selected as one of a group of 20 students from Summerland Secondary, Pen-Hi and Maggie schools.
Although the students pay for the trips themselves, they fund raise to buy construction materials, such as the $25,000 needed to put a roof on top of the building she worked on.
“We worked really hard while we were there, building walls, floors and everything that doesn’t require specialized skills,” says Francisco.
“Kids from the orphanage came to help in their bare hands and feet. At lunch, we played with them, we sang and had sleepovers with them. I have made many friends there and I want to continue to help them.”
Maggie vice-principal Sandra Richardson says Francisco’s work ethic isn’t often seen in kids her age.
“She is widely respected by both staff and students and is highly capable of leading both,” Richardson adds.
“Never one to shy away from a challenge, Megan is innovative in her approach to problem solving.”
What Francisco finds the most difficult is saying no.
“Sometimes, I take too much and become overwhelmed, which can make me anti-social. Taking time to plan my day is a huge part of managing stress, and learning to control my time,” she explains.
“I’m a perfectionist, and I need to learn that not everything needs to be perfect all the time. To calm down, I talk with my mom who became blind as a result of a brain tumor in 2011. Having such a disability actually helps to provide a different and unique perspective on things.”
Family time is really important for Francisco.
On the weekend, she enjoys catching up with family – her younger brother and sister are best friends.
“We are funny people in our house,” she adds. “We enjoy spending lots of time together, sitting in front of the fire, listening to music, telling stories about our day and week.”
Outside of school, Francisco is an avid dancer and spends 10 hours a week at the Okanagan Dance Studio.
Her favorite dance is classical ballet, although she also performs jazz, tap, modern, lyrical and contemporary. She enjoys performing at community events such as the OSNS Telethon, the Santa Claus Parade and more. What are her plans after high school? “I’m a tree hugger!” she says. “I plan to pursue my studies in environmental sciences, and UBC is my target. I want to learn more about how the ecosystems work together, how humans impact them and green technology.”
Student of the Month is a Rotary Club of Penticton-Okanagan initiative.
The award aims to recognize outstanding students for unique achievement in scholastics, extracurricular activities, community involvement, leadership and service to others.
The Rotary Club of Penticton-Okanagan is partnering on the project with Penticton Secondary School and Princess Margaret Secondary School, aided by a generous financial contribution from Gateway Casinos as part of their proactive involvement in wideranging community service projects.