Sedona Red Rock High School senior Krupa Bhakta has lived in several different areas — with her longest time in Sedona.

The childhood world of the Scorpions relay runner and pole vaulter, at least until she was four years old, was spent half a world away in Bardoli, India, her birthplace and still home to family.

“I don’t remember much, but I went back to the same town in sixth grade and saw the hospital where I was born. It’s totally different,” she said. “My uncle’s family is over there, because they love it there, but even though he’s tried to change it by giving a lot of money, the caste system is pretty bad. The extreme rich don’t care; the extreme poor are too poor. They have different priorities.”

The world of America first opened up to her in San Francisco, where she and her hotelier parents lived until fourth grade. She would not be introduced to Sedona until her parents moved from Show Low to the Village of Oak Creek to manage a local hotel when she was 13.

“I remember going to all these places and community events, every weekend,” she said. “When I moved to Show Low, it was different. It was quiet. It wasn’t really big; it wasn’t really close.

“It’s a small community there; so’s Sedona, but Sedona’s felt the most home-like. My one major goal is never to end track season. I love my track family.”

For the full story, please see the Friday, March 28, issue of the Sedona Red Rock News.