Almost ten years since graduating from Irvington High School, Kriti Gupta is currently in her first year of medical residency, specializing in pediatrics after graduating from New York Medical College. Ever since she was a child, Kriti had an inkling of ambition to become a doctor. Throughout her years at Irvington, she carried that ambition with her.

As an avid learner and sports enthusiast, Kriti excelled in track and field and cross country while simultaneously taking a heavy AP course load and being an involved member on campus through various clubs. She felt she was kept busy and active throughout high school, and looks back on Irvington as a foundational stepping stone that prepared her well for college and beyond. 

Irvington was really fundamental in teaching Kriti important lessons she would carry on forever. Although she initially struggled in her AP Biology class, Kriti realized the importance of putting effort into her education and passed the class with flying colors by the end of the semester, cementing her desire to venture into the medical field. 

“I realized that not being successful at something was not because you were incapable, but because you haven’t found the magical recipe yet,” said Kriti. “But you will and you can be successful at anything if you put in enough effort and work for it.” 

She looks back on this experience in AP Biology as one of her greatest successes in high school because it prepared her to tackle challenges later in life with the same resolve. 

Looking back, Kriti found that the Quest Project—a benchmark project for seniors—was extremely beneficial, and taught her valuable skills of researching, synthesizing, and presenting. It was also instrumental in shaping her social skills and her ability to work with others to resolve conflicts. Now, as she works in a hospital, she appreciates having the ability to be flexible and able to work with a variety of individuals with varying personalities. 

Kriti still has friends from Irvington, and remains in contact with a handful of her former classmates. 

“School is a lot more than going to class, getting good grades, and having friends,” said Kriti. “Every situation in high school, every interaction, teaches you something in life. It’s about all the little things in between the big things of high school. ” 

Kriti fondly remembers Mrs. Anand, Mr. Lee, and Mrs. O’Connor as some of her favorite teachers from high school, all of which still teach at Irvington currently.

 “Mrs. O’Conner really recognized when people worked hard, and gave everyone really appropriate advice,” said Kriti “She pushed us just enough while still being supportive, which I really enjoyed.”

Because she was so heavily invested in science and math throughout high school, she felt like she did not provide the same attention to her English and history classes, and wishes that she had challenged herself to be interested in classes that were not necessarily relevant to her career. She also wishes that she had cared less about what other people thought about her and instead lived her life being a positive example for others around her.

After graduating from Irvington, Kriti attended UC San Diego, and later earned her medical degree from New York Medical College. Although she did not expect the vast amounts of paperwork, she says that the way she envisioned being a doctor as a highschooler aligned with its realities. She now works in a hospital in New York, and spends the majority of her day checking in on patients, prescribing and adjusting medications, and providing care to children of all ages. She hopes to eventually return to the Bay Area and settle down permanently. 

“Every time I come back to the Bay Area, Irvington seems so different. It’s important to realize that the Bay is a microcosm of a lot of privilege, and recognize that we have access to the the best of healthcare and education,” said Gupta. “Always remember that you can do a lot more, because of where you came from.”