2017’s 20 Under 20: Shristi Bhandari Bashista, Columbia Independent School

Age:

18

Parents’ names:

Rabindra and Alka Bhandari.

Dream job:

Not sure yet, but I know I want to end up helping people in some way, shape, or form. Cliché, I know, but like many cliché things, it’s true.

Favorite class in high school:

Math? I’m not sure; I love my classes equally because I love the content of the subjects and all my teachers are awesome.

Favorite club or extracurricular in high school:

Choir.

Proudest accomplishment in high school:

Developing my perspective. I’m proud that I’ve grown and learned and now can think about things in ways that I’d never been able to before.

Best advice you’ve ever received:

Don’t make the same mistake repeatedly, expecting something different to happen each time.

Biggest lesson learned in high school:

You create yourself.

Future goals:

Study abroad, do community service, travel, go to college, etc.

Favorite teacher:

This one is hard. All my teachers are special to me in their own ways, and I can’t really pick a favorite because all have been so important to my growth.

Person I admire and why:

I admire my father. He’s worked so hard and done so much for us. I really cannot express fully express my admiration for him in 75 words.

What you do for fun:

I sing, compose music, read, binge watch Netflix, eat, cook, hang out with friends, etc.