Eric Tong, St. Petersburg High IB senior
Will attend Columbia University

Just really, my goal is to help improve the world. Saving the world sounds a little bit cliché, perhaps I should say I just want to make the world an easier place to live in for all of us. I don’t know what career path I want; I just know I want to make the world better.

I want to help others because throughout my own life, I’ve seen the importance of people helping each other; I know how effective we can be if we all work together.  Currently, I’m doing Music for the Mind (a program he started at St. Petersburg High where students teach other students musical skills). I’m changing two things: I’m giving more people the opportunity to learn music and improve their quality of life and, in addition, I hope I’m improving the quality of life (in general).

I’m also trying to help improve the lives of those who suffer from epilepsy. I have two people in my life with epilepsy. I hope that through the funds raised for epilepsy research by Music for the Mind (teachers are paid and donate the money), we can find better ways to alleviate the condition.

I’m also working to change the lives of others through Student Government Association. Our student government is extremely active.  We participate in various community activities, such as the Santa Parade, throwing beads and handing out candy to the children. We help maintain a food pantry; we also (raise money) for students (who) are having financial difficulty. We try to improve our school and our community.

As told to Noura Elsayed, St. Petersburg High IB