Eric Tong

Eric Tong is a student in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program at St. Petersburg High School (SPHS). Eric is a straight A student and has been on the Principal’s List every time since his elementary school years at Ridgecrest Center for Gifted Studies. He was the recipient of 2005 and 2008 PRIDE Awards (the most prestigious award for academic excellence in Pinellas County for Elementary and Middle School graduates). In 2009, he received the Generosity of Spirit Award at SPHS and the 1^st Emily Lester Award (The Best of IB Award to honor IB freshman excels academically, has warm and caring personalities, and a strong desire to help others, with name engraved on a plaque in the IB Office.) In April 2009, Eric took the National Spanish Exam and achieved perfect scores. He was honored with 1^st place nationwide. Eric is the Captain of SPHS Debate Team and won 1^st Place and the Best Presiding Officer in the debate competitions. In 2009, he was elected as the President of SPHS Sophomore Student Government Association.

In the Duke University Gifted and Talented Youth Program, Eric was awarded gold medallions two years in a row with his high ACT/SAT scores. Eric was the President of the National Junior Honor Society of Yaholi Chapter, where he led and tutored students, as well as inducted new members. Eric was the President of the Math Club, winning many individual and team competitions, including 1^st place at Mighty Mu Competition in 2003. His team represented Pinellas County at the Florida State Math Counts Competition in 2008. As the captain of the Battle of the Books Team, Eric took home Seminole Middle’s very first 1^st place trophy and was also recognized on Fox News and WEDU. He competed in Quiz Bowl competitions and received 1^st Place twice (2007 & 2008) in the Pinellas County. In the Future City competitions, his model was among the top five and exhibited at MOSI in 2007 and placed 3^rd in 2008 competition in the Florida State level, with the best presentation scores two times in a row. At the Engineering Expo in 2008, he received The Most Professional Presentation award. He was featured in the Future City Documentary TV programs. Eric had his first poem published on Cross Creek Chronicles in 2000. He won the honorary mention and cash prize for the short story competition in 2005. His poem “Why?” competed at Florida State level in 2005. He received 1^st place and cash prize at the DARE essay contest in 2007.

Eric plays Piano very well. He won 2^nd place and cash prize at 2003 Young Artist Scholarship Piano Competition. He placed 3^rd at 2005 Florida District Concerto Competition. His piano compositions received 1^st place at Pinellas County Reflections Music Competitions in 2006 and 2007. He won 2^nd Place in Music Composition in Florida State Reflections and received Merit Award in 2007. He was the pianist at the major events at school and piano accompanist for the school chorus at spring or holiday concerts, as well as the chorus’s National Guild Audition. Since May 2006, Eric has held piano solo concerts for the community every year. Eric was the president of the Drama Club and played male leading roles in Beverly Hillbilly (2006), Bard is Back (2006), Annie (2007) and Peter Pan (2008). The drama production Standing Bear (2008) won Florida State competition and qualified at the national level. Eric also played violin at the Pinellas Youth Symphony and won The Most Improved Award from PYS (2006/2007). He was the Concert Master of Symphonic Strings at PYS (2007/2008).

Eric has vast interests in different areas. He earned 2^nd Place three times at St. Petersburg Chess Competition. He is a world certified 3^rd degree black belt in Taekwondo. He is a two time National Champion in the Junior Olympic Taekwondo Competition, five time Florida State Champion, and received many first place trophies at Taekwondo tournaments.