(Piano) Keys to Success

“I am doing what I can – the best way I know how.”

Every Sunday since August of 2009, Carson Scholar Brian Wong has provided piano entertainment at Waters Edge Lodge near his home in Alameda, California. His philosophy is simple – he does what he can. In this case, Brian plays the piano to entertain the elderly residents at Waters Edge, because that is what he knows how to do. In an average week, 80 residents come to Brian’s musical session. In return, he finds sponsors who, instead of sponsoring Brian, donate money to the Alameda County Community Food Bank.

To date, Brian has raised more than $18,000 for the food bank. He has inspired his family, friends, and businesses in his community to get involved. He has also served as an East Villagers Service Scholar Intern, where he wrote blogs on Global Justice and earned money for the charity of his choice – yet again finding a way to contribute to the Alameda Food Bank.

This past summer, Brian participated in Bank of America’s Student Leadership Summit in Washington, DC, along with 200 other students from the United States and 30 students from London. This past fall, he was named a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist.

At school, Brian is the founder of a club called Youth Reaching Out, which is focused on getting students involved in their community. It currently has 30 members, all young people who want to give back. He is captain of the Varsity Tennis Team, and is part of the National Science Bowl. He is also busy applying to colleges, and hopes to pursue a degree in computer engineering.

We’re not the only ones who are impressed by Brian! Click here to watch a CBS video about Brian; click here to read about Brian winning the Jefferson Award; and click here to read about his involvement with the East Villagers program.

To learn more about Brian’s efforts to support the Alameda County Community Food Bank, click here to visit his website.