Shristi Dhungel, West Scranton High School
Q: What accomplishments are you most proud of and why?
A: I am an emergency medical technician and work for Pennsylvania Ambulance. I aimed to become someone’s hope and the kind face they see in their time of chaos. I can guide a patient through their worst day. My accelerated class was three days a week for five hours. This was a tough balance, since I was a full-time junior in high school, but I had a goal. My ambition drove my pursuit and engaged my senses. I pursued my passion in order to allow others to continue holding theirs. I learned grit and perseverance. Learning how to act in emergency situations from strokes, traumas, labor & delivery, and everything else in between, I witness the start of life and the end of it. This is one of my proudest accomplishments.
Q: Whom do you most admire and why?
A: The person I most admire is my mother. Through every achievement and failure she has been there as a pillar in my life. Her guidance and kindness has taught me how to navigate through any situation. Even on my worst days she has always been there, has always listened to me with an open mind and heart. Thank you, Mom.
Q: What were your most rewarding school or community activities? Why?
A: As I’ve already mentioned, being an EMT. I also found being a junior volunteer leader at Geisinger Community Medical Center to be very rewarding. Most of the patients I spoke to during this experience have or had no one to speak to or tell their stories to. Just offering a kind smile and listening ear means the world to these individuals.
Q: What do you do in your spare time?
A: I enjoy sports; I have been involved in both the varsity soccer and basketball programs at West Scranton High School. I also do photography; being able to capture individuals at their best moments is ineffable.
Q: What are your plans after high school graduation? Why did you choose this path?
A: I am attending Villanova University to pursue cognitive and behavioral neuroscience on the pre-medical track. I want to become a physician to become the calm in someone’s chaos.
Q: What is your advice to younger students?
A: Keep your heads up. I know some days we are all tired and exhausted. I get it, high school is a lot of pressure, you have to decide what you want to do with your life when you’re only 17 or 18. It is not easy and though it feels like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, I just want you all to know that it does get better. You will commit to a school or a trade and you will feel relieved. Trust me when I say it does get better and if you have a will you will have a way.
Q: Finish this sentence: The most interesting thing about me is …
A: I enjoy being busy.
A little about Shristi Dhungel
Shristi Dhungel of West Scranton High School became a working emergency medical technician while still a high school student. Her school describes her as having a strong desire to serve and determination for excellence.
She is the daughter of Sakila Dhungel and Khara Dhungel.
Shristi has already done more service than many. She did 200-plus volunteer hours with the Geisinger Junior Volunteer Program and is a Presidential Volunteer Award recipient twice through this program. Shristi was the student representative to the school board. She has done professional photography and used those skills to benefit the school’s sports teams and drama club.
Her leadership roles include being the founder of the diversity club, the editor of the school newspaper, vice president of the breast cancer awareness club, and president of SADD/SAVE club. She is a multisport athlete.
Shristi Dhungel (COURTESY OF SHRISTI DHUNGEL)