A Shoulder to Cry On

 Krishen Bhatti can be described as a hard-working individual, a second-generation immigrant, an older brother, an involved person at his mosque, and a great friend to his peers. He is currently a senior at Williamsville North High School. He is immensely proud to acknowledge how his parents provide him with the strength and support needed to pursue his aspirations.

While Krishen was born and raised in the United States, his parents immigrated from Punjab, Pakistan in search of religious freedom and economic stability. Ever since he was young, Krishen has helped his family adjust to American life. He remembers having to translate between a police officer and his mother after getting pulled over on the way from a wedding. 

When looking back at his youth, Krishen recalls being carefree as a child with a curious mind, tinkering with objects and taking them apart without being able to put them back together. He misses his childhood and the good memories that were created along with it. 

For Krishen, the future always looked bright. He reminisced on the night where he and his cousin stayed up planning for the future as he shared, “He was a high school senior at the time, going into college, so basically where I am now. He gave me guidance on what to do.”

As a child, he wanted to become a scientist and mix chemicals in a laboratory. Around middle school, Krishen took an interest in engineering. However, his current passion developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Around this time, Krishen’s parents bought him his first computer to use for online schooling. This sparked his interest in pursuing computer science and cybersecurity.

It is a known stereotype that children of immigrants are either going to become a doctor, engineer, or lawyer. However, Krishen defied that stereotype by pursuing his interest in the tech field. Instead of shutting down his aspirations, his parents accepted his decision, as Krishen explained, “They said, ‘Okay, do your best and whatever you can in your power to succeed in whatever you do in the future.” 

Krishen recognizes that the support that his parents provided allows him to reach where he is today. Their empathy made him more understanding, their support pushed him to always do his best in whatever he did, thus becoming one of his personal morals. Krishen would like to repay his parents for everything they have done for him. He cannot thank them enough for providing him with a great life. 

After graduating from Williamsville North High School, Krishen plans to attend Rochester Institute of Technology for cybersecurity this upcoming fall. From there, he plans to work at a full time job while having a family of his own. Once he gets settled, he wishes to become an active member of his community. 



To all high school seniors that find themselves in a similar position, Krishen advises, “You got this. Just try your best. Do everything in your power that you can. I know not all the resources might be available to you at this moment, but actively push yourself to see what you can discover. I know I wasn’t aware of the different parts about getting into college until I was already there.”