Whiz Kid: Medical Student Sarita Mehta

Whiz Kids is a weekly feature in which Patch profiles an outstanding youngster or youth group. This week's Whiz Kid is Sarita Mehta, who is awesome because she's opening doors for herself with hard work.

Whiz Kid: Sarita Mehta

Age: 17

School: Hoboken High School, 12th Grade

Twelfth grader Sarita Mehta, 17, was very excited about being chosen—from the entire senior class—to be student of the month in March.

“You have all these expectations,” she says about a busy time for seniors. “Your parents, your grades, studying for the SAT, applying for college. To be picked out of the whole senior class, it's refreshing.”

Sarita has indeed been working hard throughout her academic career, maintaining grades excellent enough to consistently make the honor roll. She considers English to be her favorite subject, and says she enjoys reading classics like Shakespeare, Kafka and Tennessee Williams, and also writing her own essays on historical and generational issues.

Sarita is a member of the school honors society, as well as the yearbook staff, student council, and a community service group that volunteers in places like the Hoboken Shelter.

“It's fun, I enjoy it,” she says about staying busy and involved with different groups. “It helps me develop leadership skills.”

In her spare time Sarita likes socializing with friends. She's looking forward to relaxing this summer, before she leaves to attend college at Rutgers.

“It will be a whole different experience,” she says. “But I like challenges. I'll be ready for it.”

She plans on working in medicine, though she is unsure yet on whether she wants to be a doctor, pediatric nurse, or even travel the world opening up health clinics in impoverished countries. She knows she has time to think about her options, and she's confident she'll be able to succeed in whatever endeavor she chooses.

Do you know a Whiz Kid, or even a whole group of them? Send any and all nominations to alanskontra@hotmail.com, and check back every Wednesday afternoon to read about some outstanding youngsters in your community.