Peter Wei Cai was born in Pittsburgh, PA on January 14, 1988, the only son of Ming Ding and Quan Cai. He attended the North Allegheny School District from 1st through 12th grade, graduating first in the class of 2006. Peter accomplished more things in his twenty years than most people dream to do in their life. Peter's life was tragically stricken short when he collapsed after he finished a short
1.8 mile race in a social event on October 25, 2008 and went into cardiac arrest. He had no past medical condition. Peter always led a very admirable life, engaging in several activities. He was a National Merit Finalist and Scholarship winner, a member of the USA Today All-USA High School Academic Team, a National Finalist and scholarship winner of the American Chemistry Society Olympiad, and a recipient of the Annalee Henderson Outstanding Student Achievement award for mathematic excellence. While this is quite an outstanding list of accomplishments, this only scratches the surface of Peter's academic accomplishments. In addition to being an outstanding scholar, Peter was also a talented musician as a first violinist for the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra. Peter conducted research at university labs and was a coauthor on three papers before college. Peter did community service at Mercy Hospital, Pittsburgh Cares, the Carnegie Science Center, nursing homes, tutoring, and National Honor Society. He was a lifeguard and swimming instructor. Peter was also active as Student Council President, Vice President, and Treasurer and Class Council Vice President. He contributed a great deal both to North Allegheny and the community. Peter was a member of ANSC and the Men’s Swimming and Diving Team at North Allegheny. During this time, he became a WPIAL champion and was awarded both the Rookie of the Year and the Scholar Athlete Award. He was a 2-time finalist and 3-time qualifier for the PIAA state championship. He also twice had an All-American Consideration Time. Peter was accepted early admission to Harvard University, Class of 2010 and was a resident of Adams House. He was expected to earn a B.A. with honors degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology and also in Economics in 2010, and planned to attend medical school. During his years at Harvard, Peter was a Herchel Smith Harvard Undergraduate Research Fellow, a Harvard College Scholar due to his excellence in academics, a researcher in the Lab of Professor Maniatis (a world well-known scientist), Co-Director of Harvard Emergency Medical Services, Co-Principal violinist and Treasurer of the Harvard Mozart Society Orchestra, Co-Director of Harvard Alternative Spring Break in New Orleans, Seminar Program Chair of the Undergraduate Research Association, Public Relations Co-Chair in the Asian American Association, Instructor for the Chinatown ESL Program, Executive board member of Harvard Pre-Medical Society, Writer of Harvard Science Review, and Peer Study Leader and Tutor of Bureau of Study Council. He was also a Center for Minority Health intern at the University of Pittsburgh. Peter was much more than the sum of his accomplishments. He was the beloved son of Ming Ding and Quan Cai and boyfriend of Christine Li. He was regarded highly by all who knew him. Peter was always modest and hard-working, never taking his brilliance for granted. Peter applied himself in all arenas of life. He was always there to lend a helping hand, to provide encouragement, or to serve as a role model. He always wore his smile, which instantly made others feel at ease. Peter lived a full, happy life that changed our world in many ways, and his accomplishments listed above reflect only a small fraction of that change. Peter was a catalyst. Peter taught us through example how to live more fully and more honorably. Let us never forget these lessons Peter taught us. Let us remember the positive attitude and genuine enthusiasm Peter had and how he made so many lives richer through his life. The Peter Wei Cai Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 2009 to recognize an outstanding senior swimmer or diver at North Allegheny. In addition to providing a $1,000 scholarship to the recipient, a $500 donation is made to a deserving charity in Peter’s memory furthering his charitable work and keeping the focus always on others. If you would like to donate to the Scholarship Fund, please mail your check (payable to the Peter Wei Cai Scholarship Fund) to Post Office Box 832, Wexford, PA 15090. Thank you for taking the time to read about Peter and hopefully you will be inspired by his life.
